Fred Yost

Fred Yost was a lot of things: an aviator; a builder; a caver; a ham radio operator; and most importantly, a loving father and grandfather. Fred died in his Blacklick home on Monday, March 2nd 2015 at the age of 76. Born in Huntington, West Virginia to Enid and Albert Yost, Fred grew up with a curiosity and intellect that led him to experiences and creations few can match. Confined to a wheel chair for part of his childhood, Fred, with the help of his father, still learned to fly an airplane before he was even old enough to drive. A lifelong tinkerer, Fred would grow up to build and fly two ultra-light airplanes of his own. He built them in his two car garage. Fred, or K8JGY as he was known on the airwaves, was also a passionate ham radio operator. When others would be in a basement waiting for a tornado to pass, Fred could be found on the roof giving information to local weather trackers about where the twirler was headed. Long before internet video was ever heard of, the Navy veteran used his backyard amateur radio tower to transmit Slow Scan TV shows that were watched by other ham radio operators around the world. His unique home – with the garage that doubled as an airplane hangar and a basement that served as a TV studio – caught the attention of NBC 4 News in Columbus. After profiling Fred and his various pursuits, the station – enamored by Fred’s charm and sense of humor – offered him a job as a movie critic. His “Just a Guy” movie review segments ran for about 4 years. When Fred died, his daughter, Teresa (Terry) Allton of Blacklick, and his son, Chip Yost of Los Angeles, were both by his side. Both are grateful for the unique childhood he provided them, and hope they pass on his sense of humor and unique outlook on life to his five grandchildren: Sean Patrick, Jr, Michelina, Tanner, Kaden and Karis. A memorial service for Fred will be held at 5:00 pm, Thursday, March 5, 2015 at the SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL 1051 E. Johnstown RD. (at Beecher RD.) Gahanna, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to National Church Residences Hospice, 2245 North Bank Dr., Columbus, OH 43220.