Victor Yowell

Victor Lee Yowell, 67, of Alanson, Michigan, passed away on Monday, February 21, 2022 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was surrounded by loved ones. Vic was born on December 27, 1954 in Dayton, Ohio to Neil and Carol Yowell of Dayton, Ohio. He graduated in the class of 1973 from Centerville High School and went on to attend college at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where he was a hell-raiser and member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, respectively. Vic married Debra “Lambs” Whitfield on November 26, 1976 in Dayton, Ohio. On their very first date, they rescued a wandering dog. Vic and Deb’s love for animals was a continued, constant feature in their relationship, with the couple adopting dogs Astro, Mack, Woody, Diesel and Ty throughout the course of their relationship. They were happily married for a joyful 45 years. No one was more in love and had more fun together than Vic and Deb. Favorite activities of the couple included trips to northern Michigan, long drives through rural America, dancing to Leon Russell in the kitchen, and endless outings for ice cream. They welcomed daughter Nicki on June 17, 1986. From her birth onward, Vic was Nicki’s steadfast advocate, cheerleader, and friend. Whether it was a dance recital of interminable length or an obscure hobby like zine-making, Vic was always in Nicki’s corner, regardless of what she was up to. Together, Vic and Nicki spent many hours watching goofy movies, playing games, enjoying lots of pizza, protesting bogus policy choices, and hanging out in Vic’s Ohio State-themed basement. He was the best dad ever, no contest. Vic and his brother, Bob, ran Yowell Transportation, a family-owned trucking company in Moraine, Ohio. In this leadership role, Vic’s penchant for creative problem solving and establishing mutually beneficial relationships shone bright. He was passionately dedicated to the business, working long hours and addressing concerns at all times of the day. While Vic was known for working hard, he played hard too. His boisterous laugh and beaming smile were iconic. Vic lived all aspects of life to their fullest, utmost potential. His ability to think big, sometimes a little too big, was one of his most admired qualities, as was his uncanny knack for relating to and making friends with anyone. He took strangers, new friends, rather, to Ohio State football games. He invited Nicki’s classmates along for family trips. Even during his illness, he chatted up nurses and treated them to pizza parties. This was who Vic was. He is irreplaceable and will be deeply missed by all of the “buddies” who were lucky enough to know him. Remaining to cherish Vic’s memory are wife, Debby; daughter, Nicki; fur son, Ty; brothers, Bob (Nancy), Jon, Ken and Jay (Carol); sister, Jill; many loving nieces and nephews; and an endless array of treasured friends and loved ones. Preceding in death are father Neil and mother Carol. An outdoor memorial service will be held in June 2022 at a TBD location in the Dayton, Ohio area. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations can be made in Vic’s name to Tidewell Hospice, the Sonny Unger Foundation, and/or Rose Haven (Portland, OR).