My closest friend, a man of heart
“Steve and I grew up in the same neighborhood in Detroit, and we both went to Pershing High School. We had the same counselor, Mr. Carter, who had to pay a lot of attention to us.
“According to our parents, we were pretty rebellious. Neither of us got through the 12th grade at Pershing, but we did finish our high school education in the service. Steve was in the Air Force, and I was in the Army.
“We didn’t do any of this together because Steve was nine years older than me.
“In 1971, one of the first times I met Steve, I was working at the Udylite Corp., which back then was in Local 189 but is now Local 155. I was the plant chairman and Steve was the servicing representative. After comparing notes about the neighborhood, school and counselor, it seemed as if we were just on the same track.
“We continued our education together at Wayne State University and had a great time, really cementing our relationship.
“At the time, there was an opening for president of Local 189, and Steve wanted me to run. I didn’t believe that I was ready for such a high-ranking position in our union. But Steve said, ‘Red,’ (that’s what they used to call me back then, but my hair isn’t red any more). ‘I know that you like being plant chairman, but you should set your sights higher. I know you can make a contribution to our union.’
“He said the UAW could afford to hire the smartest people in the world, but I came from the rank and file and knew what it was like to work with my hands and knew what it was like to stand up for workers’ rights. He also told me what UAW members look for when they elect their leadership — and this is something I will never forget: ‘You can always learn the duties of the job, but you can’t buy heart, and for the labor movement it has to be there.’
“I never met a person with more heart and dedication to this union than my brother, Steve Yokich.
“To the members who never met Steve, I can say to you that you had the finest leader and champion of working men and women you could have possibly had. He was absolutely the right man at the right time.
“He was a tough bargainer with a social conscience and a diplomat for men and women who work for a living to support their families. He was a man who never forgot where he came from, but most importantly, he had the biggest heart this labor movement has ever known.
“I will miss my friend dearly.”
Ken Terry is director of UAW Region 1.
Friendship rings true
“One of my fondest memories of Steve includes my wedding. He volunteered his home to us for our small wedding on the lake. The weather was very hot and fickle. One minute the sun would shine, the next it would be pouring rain.
“The tent was up, and Steve set up the chairs. Then it began to rain. No sooner had Steve taken the chairs down and into the house, the sun came out. He took them all back out and set them up again. It started raining again.
“When I arrived, Steve had just finished setting up the chairs again — and he still had to get ready. Steve was the best man and Corinne O’Reilly was matron of honor.
“The ceremony went on as planned (in the rain) until we got to the rings.
“The judge asked for the rings and Steve shook his head.
“The judge said, ‘Come on, Steve, no kidding around.’
“Steve said, ‘I’m not kidding. They’re in the house.’
“One of the kids ran and got the rings and we finished the ceremony. The rain stopped, the sun came out, and we had a great time with our family and friends.
“For many years, we had parties in August right around the time of Steve’s birthday, and we’d always have a cake. He’d always tell us that he wasn’t going to come if we had a cake for him. He always came, and we always had a cake.
“On Aug. 20, this year (what would have been Steve’s 67th birthday) Corinne and I went to Sanders and had a hot fudge sundae for all the fond memories we had of our boss and very special friend. Many times during our working lives, Steve would get a hankerin’ for a Sanders hot fudge sundae, and someone would go out and get them for everyone in the office.
“A few days before he died, Steve stopped by the new Region 1 office with his mother, Julia. He was as happy and relaxed as I had ever seen him.”
Gloria Terry worked with Steve from 1977 until she retired in 2000.
