Derek Eugene Yoakum, age 43 of Colfax, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at EveryStep Kavanagh Hospice House. A Luncheon will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at the Baptist Church in Colfax, IA. Visitation services will follow on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. at Coburn Funeral Homes in Colfax, IA. A Celebration of Life will follow the Visitation held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 2:00 p.m- 6:00 pm at Quarry Springs Park in Colfax, IA. Memorials may be directed to the family of Derek Yoakum. Condolences may be left at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

The son of Christopher Yoakum and Sheila Clement, Derek was born on January 7, 1981 in Des Moines, Iowa. On September 21, 2010, he was united in marriage to Anne M. Tansey at Whitehawk Ranch Golf Resort in Clio, California. Together they welcomed two sons, Flynn Bearett on April 4, 2011 and Coen Carter on January 9, 2013. Derek graduated from Colfax-Mingo High School in the class of 1999. He then went on to further his education at Kirkwood Community College where he graduated from the culinary arts program in the class of 2005.  This was where he found his love for cooking. Derek went on to hold many chef jobs eventually working his way up to Executive Chef at the Whitehawk Ranch Golf Resort. Derek was well known in the chef industry for his outgoing, persistent personality, and hard work ethic. Derek is known for his love of golf, fishing (Family fishing trips in Northeast Iowa) watching collegiate (Iowa Hawkeyes) and professional (Raiders) sporting events, and playing with his beloved sons. Those that know Derek know he was special in the way he could light up rooms, make everyone laugh, and the special bonds he created with each and every family member and friend.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife; Anne Tansey, his sons; Flynn Yoakum and Coen Yoakum, his father; Christopher (Lori) Yoakum, his mother; Sheila (John McCall) Clement, his grandmother; Barb Ross, his siblings; Austin (Audri) Yoakum, Jordyan Downey, and Dillon Downey, his nieces and nephews; Matthew Crawford, Astrid Downey, and Apollo Downey, many aunts and uncles, and other beloved family members. Derek was preceded in death by his grandparents; Eleanor Laurene and Paul Eugene Yoakum, Larry Ross, and Jim Clement, many aunts and uncles, and other beloved family members.