Harold Floyd Yingst

Harold went to be with the Lord on Saturday after a sixteen year fight against cancer.

He will be remembered for his love of life, making friends, helping others and pulling pranks on family and friends alike. Harold was born on August 12, 1933 in Bakersfield, Ca to John and Mabel Yingst. He was the youngest of three children, two who have predeceased him: Wilma Dean Yingst Guenther and Geneva Yingst Blinn, and two great-grandchildren. John was a carpenter and Harold learned many skills working with his father as a child. They moved often, so Harold had many opportunities to make new friends as he changed schools often. He graduated from EBHS in 1951 as a Honor Student in all four years. He next went to Bakersfield College to get his AA in business. He married Irene Quiring on Aug 21, 1954 and moved to Fresno.. On June 1956 Harold was drafted into the US Army, serving two years in Germany. After returning to the States, they settled in Bakersfield to raise their sons: James, John Mark, and Robby. In 1960, Harold joined the Kern County Fire Dept., of which he was most proud and dedicated. He retired in 1988 as a Captain, so Irene and he could travel extensively by RV all over the US and Canada, as well as cruising all over the world. He loved to fish, fix things and talk to people. In Dec 1999 Irene passed away. In Oct 2001 he married his longtime friend Karen Brightwell Yingst. Together, they picked up where he left off: RVing, cruising and living life to the fullest.

Harold is survived by his wife Karen, his three sons: James (Sheila), Mark, and Robby (Jennifer) Yingst; grandsons: J.T, Max and Garrett Yingst, Karen's three children: David (Nan) Brightwell, Dana (Kevin) Bennett and Daryn (Olga) Brightwell; their children, 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and a host of friends.

Harold will be cremated and his ashes interred at Bakersfield National Cemetery with Full Military Honors on Friday, April 29th at 10a.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at First Assembly of God Church 4901 California Ave. on Saturday, April 30th at 11a.m., where he was a member.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the Prostrate Cancer Centers, First Assembly of God Church, Bakersfield National Cemetery Support Committee, PO Box 12377 Bakersfield, CA 93389 or the charity of your choice .