IMPACTING LIVES TOGETHER FOR 70 YEARS

by Stephen Yost III
Stephen Yost Jr. from Rochester, N.Y., was serving in WWII and stationed at Fort Lewis Army Base near Tacoma, Wash. Ruby Blatt was living with her family in Bremerton, Wash., when friends encouraged each of them to visit Seattle Central Church one Sabbath.
Three months later, on December 2, 1944, Stephen and Rudy dedicated their lives to each other in marriage at the John Blatt family home. The war was rapidly heating up, and, within a few weeks, Stephen was shipping out to the South Pacific. While stationed in the Far East, Stephen received a short telegram stating, “It’s a boy. All is well. Ruby.”
After being discharged, Stephen applied to Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) in Berrien Springs, Mich., from which he graduated in May 1950 with top grades, training to be a teacher/preacher. Later, he would complete a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Seattle Pacific College, Wash.
His first assignment was upper grade teacher and principal at the Adventist school in Onaway, Mich. He then served at Bethel Junior Academy in Arpin, Wis.; Lewis County Junior Academy in Centralia, Wash.; Tacoma Junior Academy, Wash.; Seattle Junior Academy, Wash.; Wisconsin Academy, Columbus, Wis., where he was ordained; and Forest Lake Academy, Apopka, Fla.
In 1974, Stephen retired from active school administration and became pastor at Naples, Fla., followed by Boyton Beach and Cocoa districts. After positively impacting thousands of students and church members, Stephen retired in 1983 at age 65.
Ruby spent her time being a helpmate to her husband, a mother to her children, and a manager of their home. While living in the Northwest, she worked as librarian at Seattle Junior Academy, Wash. During the time they served in Naples, Fla., she trained and worked as a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
Today, Stephen and Ruby reside at Florida Living Retirement Community, Apopka, Fla., where they are active in the on-site church. Stephen serves as occasional preacher, regular Sabbath School teacher, board member, and elder. Ruby serves as a greeter.
Their family includes: one son, Stephen (Stephanie) Yost III; one daughter, Sheryl Yost; two grandchildren, Syndee Yost and Stephen (Sy) Yost IV; and two great-grandchildren, Stella Rose Yost and Wyatt Yost.