Lawrence Frank Yust Jr., 68, passed away on October 21, 2024. His passing leaves behind a legacy of dedication, intelligence, and unforgettable memories and adventures that will be cherished by his family.
Lawrence is survived by his loving wife, Pamela Yust; his three children, Ryan, Aaron, and Danielle and their spouses: Nicole, Kelly and Chris; and his seven beloved grandchildren: Zoe, Johnathan, Luke, Clare, Louella, Robbie, and Christopher. He is also survived by his father Lawrence F. Yust Sr. and stepmother Barbara Yust, as well as his siblings Mark, Kate, Mary, and Diane. He was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Yust.
A proud Purdue University graduate, Lawrence built an impressive career as an aeronautical engineer, where his exceptional work ethic and innovative mindset set him apart. His colleagues knew him as someone who approached each project with unwavering dedication and when a project was a challenge “Yust got it done”. He took pride in every detail of his work. His passion for engineering wasn't just a career choice – it was a calling that he pursued with remarkable devotion throughout his life.
Beyond his professional achievements, Lawrence was known for his ability to supervise any and all tasks when around family or friends. Along with his quirky sense of humor, he had a gift for storytelling, often entertaining family and friends with his engaging tales of his childhood memories and travels around the world. He found joy in life's simple pleasures, whether running along his favorite jogging routes, vacationing, perfecting his pool game, or most importantly, spending precious time with his family.
In June 2024, he was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and had a personal moonshot of being the first person to beat this disease. He fought a courageous battle and was even selected to participate in the second round of clinical trials to find a cure for this disease.
A family celebration of life will be held in Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the CJD Foundation Family Fundraiser in loving memory of Lawrence F. Yust Jr., to support research and families affected by Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
“Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and forever dear.” - Alex MacLean