Edmund E. Yesko Jr.

Yesko Edmund Edward Jr

Edmund Edward "Buddy" Yesko Jr., of Salisbury, MD, passed away on May 7, 2026, at the age of 96. Born in Drifton,PA, on January 25, 1930, he was the eldest son of eight children born to Edmund Edward Sr. and Veronica Yesko. During early childhood, the family relocated to Baltimore, where his father, a former coal miner, began working in the shipyards. From an early age, he was fascinated by flight and spent most of his life working with airplanes, rockets, and spacecraft. In 1947, he joined the US Air Force at age 17,  and after an unsuccessful bid to become a pilot - his dream - he became an aircraft mechanic. In his 20-year Air Force career, he rose to the rank of Master Sergeant while stationed at various bases around the world, including Greenland and the former Territory of Hawaii. Edmund's life changed dramatically in 1957 when he met the woman who would become the love of his life, Ruth Henkel, on a blind date. They married six weeks later on Pearl Harbor Day, and celebrated 68 years together in 2025. 

After retiring from the Air Force, the couple moved to California with their eldest daughter, Shirley, and welcomed three additional children, Jennifer, Brenda, and Edmund III. Edmund went on to work as a contractor for the Navy at Moffett Field for 10 years; then for Lockheed Aircraft in its missile defense division; and finally for the jet propulsion manufacturer, Morton Thiokol, which supported NASA's Space Shuttle program. He was an avid fisherman and golfer, and had a lifelong interest in technology and electronics, including building the family's first black-and-white Zenith television from a kit. 

After retiring to Salisbury, MD, in 1990, he spent more than three decades making cherished memories with his family and friends. He was exceedingly proud of his children and grandchildren and took great delight in following their many pursuits and adventures. And we cherish the great love he had for his wife, Ruth, from whom he was inseparable right until the end.  

Affectionately known as "Pop" in his later years, he was a deeply spiritual and patriotic soul who bestowed the values of kindness, courage, service to others, and to always "do the right thing." Quick-witted, with a love for debating, he always walked on the sunny side of the street. We will remember his endless sense of curiosity about the world, from the wonders of nature to his love of history and science. Inventor, builder, tinkerer, storyteller, we will never forget his 'trashbag kites,' model gliders, and tall tales of working on a mink farm. We will think of him when we look up at the stars, when we hear the soft beating of a hummingbird's wings, when we cast a fishing pole or see an American flag, and most importantly, when we witness an act of selfless kindness that was the hallmark of his character. 

Edmund is survived by his wife Ruth, daughters Shirley Yesko, Jennifer Miles (Dave), Brenda Velasquez, and Heather Yesko Edwards (Jason), grandchildren Kyle Jerkins (Chelsey), Samantha Rees, great-grandchildren Ethan, Levi, Abigail, and Lainey, his brother Biff, and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund Sr. and Veronica, son, Edmund Edward III, brothers, Billy and Freddy, and sisters, Marylou, Barbara, Jean, and Valerie. 

"Into the wild blue yonder”, Pop, will love and miss you forever. 

Visit the family owned Gonce Funeral Service P.A. 4001 Ritchie highway on Saturday June 27, 2026 from 1:00 - 3:00 P.M. Memorial Service 3:00 P.M. 

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