My father was Bodacious!
It means…audacious in a way considered admirable.
My father passed away on May 3rd, 2017. I have been struggling with his loss ever since. The feelings of anger and loneliness never seem to go away, even though I am surrounded by other family and friends. Countless people have met and encountered him, but not too many knew the extraordinary life he had. I felt that by sharing my father’s life with others would, at a minimum, create a reference point allowing others to better understand who my father was. By me posting photos, videos, audio, documents and commentary, I hope this collection will, in a way, bring my father to life again…through this website.
Early Life
John Malek Yonan II was born on March 11, 1938. He is pictured here at 9 months old. It was unusual for him to sit still for any photo. The photographer had to be quick! The Yonan family lived at 1014 N. Appleton Street in Appleton, WI in an upstairs apartment. They would later move to their permanent home at 4 Winona Court in Appleton. As you will see in the video below, Dad began his love for running at an early age.
Many Achievements
My father became interested in Scouting and excelled in its ways. Eventually, he would rise to the ultimate rank of Eagle Scout! In high school, his sites turned to athletics and he fell in love with Track. He would take top honors in the mile, the mile relay and the quarter mile.
Professional Life
Dad was featured in View Magazine. It’s an interesting story of how the Yonan & Sons, Inc. business started and flourished from 1928 to 1992. Dad retired in ’92 and without Dad at the helm, my brother and I decided not to continue the business. The article in its entirety may be found here.
Importance of Family
Dad rarely missed an event or a celebration, no matter where it was happening, and often showed up at places unexpectedly.
Humor and Silliness Ruled
Dad was comic relief almost always. He would find the positive in nearly every situation and would act silly to make you laugh. My kids loved him. They called him Bumpa (my son, Justin, could not pronounce grandpa and it came out Bumpa…it stuck).
His friends, throughout his life, called him Yo-Yo.
Special Friends
Dad had more friends than I will ever know, but there were a handful of very special friendships that lasted many years and in a few cases, an entire lifetime!
Derek Holliday
Jim Potter
Bill Olsen
Mark Benson – Like a son to Dad
Mark and I were very close friends in high school. Later in life, somehow, Mark and my father began going places and doing things together. Mark started calling my father Dad and my father considered legally adopting Mark (even though Mark was in his fifties and my father was in his late 70’s. I know…a little odd, but Mark has given my father a wonderful gift. The gift of friendship accompanied by first class airline tickets to dozens of locales around the world. You see…Mark has been a Flight Attendant for decades and could take his family on trips with him. Since Mark’s father had died years before, Mark would invite my father to tag along…to destinations literally all over the world. China, Amsterdam, France, Germany, plus many more. Dad’s cost? About $25. Don’t get me wrong…it was so much more than travel for Dad…Mark was like a son to Dad.
