Colonel Florian Henry Yoste III, USAF (Ret.), passed away peacefully on September 3, 2025, at the Veterans Nursing Home in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Flo, or Poppa, as his 12 grandchildren called him, was a loving grandfather, father, brother, uncle, and friend to so many. He had just celebrated his 82nd birthday with a cake, candles, and his four children at his side. It was a special day for all of us.

Florian was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, on August 19, 1943. As a child, his family moved to Jackson, Mississippi. Growing up in the Belhaven area, Flo had a typical childhood. He delivered his paper routes, played Little League baseball, and swam for the Riverside pool swim team. He played baseball for the Babe Ruth League in Jackson, where he made lifelong friendships. Many of whom he continued to see on occasion at the Bears and Beavers lunches. He continued playing football and basketball at St. Joseph High School, where he graduated in 1961. Flo was a lifelong Catholic and an altar server. He was president of his Catholic Youth Organization. In the fall of 1961, Flo headed to Oxford to attend the University of Mississippi. While attending his beloved Ole Miss, Flo was rush chairman and President of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Freshman cheerleader, a member of Scabbard and Blade, and the Arnold Air Society, an honorary military organization.

Graduating from Ole Miss in 1965, Colonel Yoste was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF as a distinguished military graduate. In December of 1966, he was deployed to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Da Nang AFB, Republic of Vietnam. While in Vietnam, Col. Yoste flew in 126 combat missions. Florian is a graduate of the Air Force Squadron Officers School, Command and Staff College, and a graduate of Air Force War College. He also earned a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies from George Washington University and a Master's Degree in International Studies from Troy State University. During his career, Col. Yoste received over 41 military awards and decorations, including the Secretary of Defense Badge, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, and many others. During his career, Flo and his family were stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, the Pentagon in Washington DC, Langley AFB in Virginia, and Eglin AFB in Florida, just to name a few. He returned to Mississippi after 22 years of active duty as the Air Force ROTC Commander at Ole Miss. He was so happy to bring his family home to Mississippi! He then started the Air Force ROTC program at Lafayette High School, one of his proudest accomplishments. He remained at Ole Miss after retiring from the military for several years and was instrumental in the fundraising efforts for our beloved #38, Chucky Mullins. He helped his family secure a home and care for him until his death. Flo continued to check in on the family for years to come, and they remained close. In 2013, Col. Yoste moved back to Jackson to be the Director of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Governor, State of Mississippi, very befitting for the end of his career.

Flo was a military man to the core. He was very proud of having served his country, and he raised his family to be patriotic Americans, to respect our Flag and above all, to honor every Veteran. He very much enjoyed counseling young people and helping them find their passion and their path. He even came to the elementary school with his grandson to share his story on career day. He told the kids to "stand up straight and look proud." They loved him and his stories. And the man could tell a story! He would keep his grandsons up way too late, telling them very detailed "war" stories. He thought his seven granddaughters were the most beautiful girls in the world. He often said, I would put my grandchildren up against anyone. He was generous when others weren't looking. Buying a plane ticket for a stranger to make it home for a funeral, or donating to so many charities that his mailbox was overflowing. He loved Ole Miss sports, as I recall his life it is very fitting that I can hear the Ole Miss band practicing from my screen porch. He would have loved that.

Florian is preceded in death by his parents, Florian H. Yoste, Jr., and Mary Seale Keeffe. His grandparents, Florian H. Yoste and Jessie Jones Yoste, and Mary Anderson Keeffe and Jacob Seale Keeffe, all of Vicksburg, MS. His Aunt Mary Yoste, and his Uncles Harry, Jerry, Eddie, and Jack.

Flo leaves behind his wife of 28 years, Jessie Humphreys Yoste, of Jackson, Mississippi. His children, Mary Virginia Yoste Cox of Memphis, TN, Jessica Yoste Dennis (Jeff) of Oxford, MS, William Allen Yoste (Chappell) of Memphis, TN, and Geoffrey Carlat Yoste (Eryn) of Madison, MS. His grandsons, Oliver Cox, Walter Dennis, Brown Dennis, Marshall Paden and Henry Yoste. His granddaughters, Della Cox, Ivy Dennis, Clarice Cox, Mary Carlat Yoste, Elizabeth Yoste, Spencer Paden, and little Alli Yoste. Also, his brother William "Bud" Elder Yoste, his brother Anderson Scott Yoste, and his baby sister Susan Yoste Morrison (Jerome), all of Memphis, TN. As well as many Yoste nieces and nephews, and so many cousins. If you know a Yoste, then you know we come in droves! To quote Uncle Eddie, 'In this family, all are welcome." Also, many special friends and caregivers, including his longtime friend Artis Hall, and his special caregiver to the end, Melissa Deane.

A funeral mass will be held at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson, Mississippi, on Wednesday, September 10th, at 11:30., with a visitation and rosary before the mass from 10-11 a.m. Interment immediately following at the Cedar Hills Cemetery in Vicksburg, MS. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Arrangements are being handled by Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home.