Michael Yellam
May 27, 1920 - August 29, 2009
Obituary
Died on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at age 89 after suffering Congestive Heart Failure.
Mike was born May 27, 1920 at home in South Park – Seattle, Washington.
His parents were Domenic Dominico Iellamo and Florence Filomena Fabio Yellam and he lived all of his life in the Greater Seattle area.
During WWII he served in the Coast Guard and on October 18, 1944 was honorably discharged as a Bosun Mate 2nd Class.
On June 1, 1946 he open ‘Mike’s’ Barber Shop in Tukwila, WA. Mike enjoyed being a barber and ‘shooting the breeze’ with his friends and many loyal customers so he never wanted to retire. On Saturday, March 6, 2004, he gave the Merkle twin boys their first haircuts and they were the family’s 5th generation to use his services. He still worked part-time in 2006 and the posted price for a haircut was still $4.00, many paid him more. Mike retired and sold the barber shop on his 86th birthday, May 27, 2006 60 years.
Mike was a member of Sons of Italy for over 50 years. He held many offices in the lodge: Local Renton, including Venerable President many times; State including Grand Venerable President from 1975-1979; and National as Trustee from 1979-1983.
Mike enjoyed playing his accordion, especially when people sang with him.
He and his wife, Shirley, escorted many groups to Italy, other countries, places, and cruises.
Mike has been a continuous member of Tukwila American Legion, Post #235, for 50 years and has held many positions, including Commander several times.
Mike has been an usher at St. Francis Catholic Church in Burien for over 25 years and a member of Knights of Columbus, where he helped cook many fund raising breakfasts.
Mike was a King County Deputy Sheriff Reserve for over 20 years and attained the rank of sergeant. He was appointed January 8, 1951 and in about 1972 the Reserve Unit was disbanded.
Mike enjoyed his membership in the Burien Elks where he was a ‘Jolly Cork’ and helped with the raffles in conjunction with their Italian Dinner Dance fund raisers.
Although Mike didn’t graduate, he was always proud of his participation with the Class of 1938 from Cleveland High School and he attended many class and school reunions.
He received his GED in June, 1970 when he was 50 years old from Renton Vocational Technical Institute, where he taught the Italian language for several years.
Mike very willingly donated blood, over 5 gallons, whenever it was requested.
During his life he also volunteered as a Fire Fighter at Duwamish Fire Station #1, before and after his time in the service. He was in charge of Ladder Truck #2 with most of the younger men. Then no one got paid, not even the Chief; now everyone gets paid. He later became Fire Commissioner in King County District #1.
Mike was elected a Director on South Central School Board and presented his son, Michael D., his graduation diploma from Foster High School in 1965.
Mike had to resign both positions after he married Shirley and moved out of the District.
He was proud to be a Birth Defects Fund Raiser by organizing participants in the March of Dimes through the Sons of Italy. He and Shirley helped at many Special Olympic events through the American Legion. Mike cooked spaghetti dinner fund raisers for many organizations.
Mike loved to play golf, bocce, bowling, cards, go fishing, work in his garden, and go to Las Vegas about once a year. In later years he enjoyed going to a casino about once a month. He was a member of the winning team at Mondo Scoccolo’s Annual Bocce Tournament in 2007.
Mike loved his family and was very happy on Holidays and special occasions when all, who could, came to dinner, especially if he had cooked something Italian for them.
Mike was very proud of his Italian heritage and he tried to live his life as his contribution to helping offset the bad publicity Italian/Americans have so often received. He was decorated twice by the Italian Government with the ranks of Cavaliere and Commendatore of the Star of Solidarity by Italian Consuls.
After Mike’s retirement, he and Shirley enjoyed activities at several Senior Centers, especially SeaTac.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Elizabeth Allen; older brother, John; and younger brother, Frank; sister, Theresa Yellam, Postel Lytle; step-daughter, Linda Andersen Wood; step-son, Stephen Andersen; and step-granddaughter, Lindsay Andersen. He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Shirley Madsen, Andersen; sons, Michael Domenic and Robert Michael; five grandchildren, Linda’s twins Brittany Fred Frank and Shawna Jared Wagner, Ryan Andersen, Mikaila Yellam and Marissa Yellam; and four great-granddaughters, Ella and Kate Wagner and Kylie and Alison Frank; his sisters –in-law, Annie and Angelina Yellam; brother-in-law, Richard Lytle; and many nieces and nephews.
Services: Saturday, September 12 at 10:00 AM, followed by burial at Holyrood Cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to: American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1132, Fairfax, VA 22038-1132.