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Sidney Jay Yost (Sid), 65, of Newnan, Georgia, passed away Thursday, January 23rd, 2020.
A loving husband, father, son, brother and friend, took his last breath while holding hands with his best friend and beloved wife Tracy Oliver Yost and his loyal canine companion, Titus, on his bedside.
Born September 10th, 1954 in Rupert, Idaho to Sharon and Jay Yost, Sid was raised by Jay and his stepmother Georgiann Yost in Federal Way, Washington. He graduated from Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, Washington in 1972 where he was a star athlete, playing both baseball and football and even starred in a musical before going on to attend Colorado State University on a football scholarship. Sid’s personality was larger than life. His dedication to animals was evident early on in his teens when he asked Georgiann if he could bring home an ocelot. His passion grew into a full-time career raising and training exotic animals. With over 45 years in the entertainment industry, Sid was able to share his love of animals with the world through acting, animal handling and many TV and movie appearances. This lifestyle provided a unique childhood for his three beautiful children, Chloe, Chase and Hayle from his first marriage with Robin Yost. While surrounding and educating them with so many of the world’s most extraordinary and treasured animals he shared that anything is possible as long as you follow your dreams.
With his quick-witted humor and his ability to make you feel like you were the most important person in the room, Sid made friends everywhere he went. You always knew where he was because laughter followed him everywhere. Sid’s love of water, sandy beaches and boating adventures broadened his life’s experiences while music, family gatherings in the mountains and tri-tip steak were always a top priority. He excelled both personally and professionally while making a positive imprint on so many people and animals along the way.
Just before his short battle with cancer, Sid and Tracy married in a heart-felt beach ceremony in Wailea, Maui, on September 19th, 2019; reinforcing the strength and partnership they had cultivated over their 13 cherished years together.
Sid is survived by his wife Tracy of Senoia, Georgia; his father Jay (Barbara) of Pasadena, California; Mother Georgiann (Jim) of Gig Harbor, Washington and his birth mother Sharon of Washington. He is survived by his children Chloe, Chase and Hayle and their mother Robin, his Grandsons Justice and Roman of California; his sisters Chris (Chuck) her 4 sons and 4 grandchildren, Jennifer, and his brother Jeff (Aileen) of Washington.
Family Celebrations of Sid’s life will be held on Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 in all three states, Georgia, Washington and California. All three gatherings will be releasing paper lanterns simultaneously into the sky and encourage you to hold Sid in your hearts on that afternoon wherever you are. Washington will also have an evening open to all: Saturday, February 22nd, 2020 at Burien’s Smarty Pants Bar & Grill. Stop by to share laughter, stories and bring copies of photos of Sid for our family memory board. 626 SW 152nd St, Burien, WA 98166 from 6:30-9:30 PM.
Sid will live in our hearts always and we will carry his love and memory wherever we go. We miss you! We love you! And as Sid always said: “See you soon!”
Mike Buckholz says
I am very saddened to hear of Sid’s passing. My condolences to his family. Although we have not communicated in many years, I often think of my friendship with Sid and his family & the time I spent with them during the summers of 1968 & 69. I especially want to thank Jay & Georgiann for providing some structure for me at an age when I needed it. You helped me more than you know. Best wishes to all the family. Sincerely Mike Buckholz
Stuart "Scott' Hamilton says
So sad to learn of Sid’s passing and please accept our condolences on behalf of the entire Hamilton family. Haven’t seen Sid since he left for college at CSU, but I always looked up to him as a ‘big brother’ as we grew up next door to each other in Marine Hills. I know it’s a very difficult time for the Yost family, but Sid will be well remembered, and remembered fondly, by those who knew him and got to enjoy his keen sense of humor and love of life.
Tracy Yost-Oliver says
I miss and love you so much babe. 12yrs wasn’t long enough 😪
9/19/19 was the best and happiest day of my life💕
Lisa says
Sid taught me everything I know today. I was in the hospital battling cancer and Crohns disease when this happened. You are missed. Rest in peace Sid.
steve yunker says
wow i have thinking for years to see what Sid was up to. i guess i waited too long. sad to hear. i remember him from high school days at kennedy. we were on baseball team together and had at least one class together. always a good guy.. if Chris sees this. email me. would love to hear you.
Chris yost skilton says
Sof i miss you so much. Now our Dad died almost just a year after you. He was our rock and our foundation. A cornerstone of which we both built our legacies.He now rests with you . i miss you both everuday! RIP until we meet again.
Chet Rothberg says
Very Sad to Hear This. How Odd the time finds people apart only to then read about passings.
My sympathy rests with his Family as I remember well Chloe, Chase and Hayle.
Robin, My Sympathy also rests with You.
I hope you are well.
Chet
Lifestyles Former C.O.O. Florida 1990’s
The Honest Truth says
Sid Yost, an animal trainer who has worked on films like Get Out, Logan, and The Hunger Games, has reportedly been fined $30,000 by the U.S. government for physical abuse and neglect violations, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Some of the claims date back to 2008.
Per T.H.R., Yost’s violations include “failing to provide animals with sufficient space, sanitary living conditions, and uncontaminated food.” In addition, he has been accused of using physical abuse against wolves, and hitting tigers, a monkey, and a lion with sticks. In addition to the $30,000 fine, Yost has also reportedly lost his Animal Welfare Act license, which will block him from working on TV and film work. However, it does not stop him from working with other animal trainers and suppliers, as T.H.R. notes.
This is not the first time Yost has been criticized for his treatment of animals. Back in 2013, T.H.R. investigated the longtime trainer after the U.S. Department of Agriculture filed a lengthy complaint against him, which included a variety of additional grim accusations:
“Yost also is accused of providing substandard veterinary care, shoddy shelter, and poorly cleaned facilities, of being unable to account for the acquisition of some animals, including ferrets and a fox—the concern being that they could be black-market purchases—and of employing ‘on multiple occasions’ a stick to hit a monkey named Rowdy, a lion named Romeo, and multiple tigers.”
At the time, Yost said the U.S.D.A. “overstated, exaggerated, misrepresented, and conflated stale and outdated facts in a misguided effort to ‘score points’” against him. In addition, he said the stick was “the type of lightweight walking cane with a curved handle found in pharmacies worldwide,” and it was only used to “tap” the animal, “never to hurt or harm.”
Yost, who operates out of a 58-acre ranch near Covington, Louisiana, has been in the animal business for nearly four decades. On some occasions, it can be a deeply profitable trade. In a 2013 profile by theTimes-Picayune, which the T.H.R. investigation points out, it was revealed that two of his dogs—a golden retriever named Maverick and a Rottweiler mix named Titus—made $150,000 a year. Dogs end up being “80 percent of what people ask for,” he said.
Lisa Lange, the senior vice president of PETA, released a statement, per T.H.R., after Yost’s license was revoked.
“The authorities did the right thing by fining Sidney Yost and revoking his license, and now Hollywood needs to step up and stop hiring this longtime abuser,” she said.
The news about Yost arrives almost exactly one year after the scandal surrounding the family film A Dog’s Purpose. After a video was leaked of a distressed German shepherd named Hercules seemingly being forced to perform a stunt, PETA encouraged people to boycott the film. Producer Gavin Polone said the video was “an inaccurate picture of what happened” on the set, and star Dennis Quaid defended the film’s crew, saying he “never saw any abuse of any animal.” That wasn’t enough to quell the controversy, but the film ultimately ended up doing just fine at the box office.
Yost did not respond to T.H.R.’s request for comment
Autum says
Hello
@Mike Buckholz
@Stuart “Scott’ Hamilton
@Tracy Yost-Oliver
@Lisa
@steve yunker
@Chris yost skilton
@Chet Rothberg
It is heart wrenching to have to write or read something such as this obituary for a loved one. That is understandable, and I’m sorry you all went through that.
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But
search the internet for ‘sidney yost animal abuse’ you can find evidence of him abusing animals. He always did this. It built up over the years.
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When your loved one does something horrible, you’re not helping them by covering it up. They’re going to do it again, and you don’t have the ability to stop them. Sometimes helping your loved one means turning them in to the authorities or reporting them. At least the authorities have the resources to stop it. Then at least you’ve stopped them from doing it again. Then your relationship has a chance to mend instead of you always looking the other way and chipping off one more piece of your conscience on letting your loved one do it “one last time”. Except it always continues. You turn them in exactly because you love them.
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Yost faced charges, video evidence, dozens of articles about him, thousands of dollars in fines, jail time, hundreds of eyewitness accounts, and losing his license before he passed on. Don’t be cowards and ignore what he did, and don’t be liars by painting him as a lover of animals when he wasn’t. He was an angry, temperamental, possessive old crock with a high sense of entitlement towards doing what he wanted.
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@Tracy Oliver Yost
@Tracy Yost-Oliver
Did he hit your kids? Or your grandkids? Abuse is never localized to only one living thing. It spreads, like slime, to other friends and family. Do you ever hit them too or did you just ignore it when he did?
Mike Buckholz says
Autum, You know nothing about Sid’s family, his friends, or me. You felt a personal need to post on a Memorial site for people in grief, thus taking an opportunity to show what kind of person you truly are. In this endeavor you were successful and you should be ashamed. Perhaps the next time you decide to offer your unprompted thoughts and opinions your filter will remind you of time and place so that you don’t humiliate yourself again. Mike Buckholz
Jenny says
Missing you with all our heart .Me and my husband lived with sid for years in California. He had such a big heart and was like dad to me he teached me how to drive and took me to get my license. His love for the animals at the ranch was amazing sun up to sun down it was always a great day with him at the ranch ..always joking around made everyone smile . All that matters is we know we was a good person ..when I got in my accident he made sure I was tooken care of …we miss you and love you Jenny and Randy
Joel says
Wow this really brings a lot of sadness to me. I have known Sid and his children since I was 13years old and worked with Sid and Amazing animal productions when they were based in Ventura, Ca. I was fortunate enough to help Sid care and trains animals at this location. His loved for all this animals including the well know Angel the chimp and Apollo which you would think they were his children too. Sid was and is still a role model to me and taught me so much and was like a dad to me. Let’s not forget Sid starring role on critter getters as ranger rick and the amazing treehouse on the Ventura property. He taught me how to care and handle Sundance the hawk. I could keep going on with all the amazing thing Sid has done for me and others. I am sorry for you loss and my love goes to his wife and children.
Sid you will be missed deeply but never forgotten.