Theodore Yocom Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MG 666

Staff Only

Abstract

Correspondence, photographs, and ephemera of Theodore Yocom and his family's history.

Dates

Creation: Majority of material found within 1890-1990

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Some materials marked as "Restricted" require permission from Special Collections.

Biographical / Historical

Theodore “Ted” Yocom was born on August 28, 1920 in Illinois to his parents Mabel Leach Yocom and George Yocom. Theodore had two brothers, Carl and Robert (Bobby). Yocom served in the Civilian Conservation Corp in Idaho and also served in the Army’s Enlisted Reserve Corp on the European Front during World War II. He received all five battle stars of the First Army, including Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Honors in 1949, and also earned a degree from Georgetown School of Foreign Service in 1941. Theodore Yocom passed away on September 21, 2013.

George and Mabel Yocom were the parents of Theodore (1920), Carl (1922), and Bobby (1926). Mary Leach was Mabel Yocom’s mother, and Minnie Leach was Mabel’s late sister.

Extent

7 Cubic Feet (9 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The donation was received in two large cardboard boxes, with bundles of correspondence wrapped in either twine or rubber bands. When there was not a clear association between correspondence, archivists organized and arranged correspondence according to recipient or subject matter, in chronological order. Some folders are labeled with just one individual who was both the recipient and sender, in order to follow conversations through time and to maintain the original order. Correspondence was not removed from letters, except when excessive damage necessitated the removal of materials from the envelopes.

Photographs were arranged chronologically, when appropriate and possible. Some correspondence and materials were separated and put under restriction due to content and subject matter.

Some materials were discarded due to excessive mold and rodent damage. Duplicates and previously digitized materials were also discarded.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials in this collection were donated by Theodore Yocom's executors in 2025 after his passing.

General

Materials in this collection may contain images, language, or other content that may be offensive or disturbing. These materials are a product of a time and place in history and should be viewed within their historical context. To maintain historical accuracy, the materials appear as they were originally created to serve as historical evidence of the social mindsets, occurrences, behaviors, and norms of their time. They do not reflect the current views of the University of Idaho. For more information about how we treat materials with offensive or disturbing content, please see the University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives