Who were Jack and Blonda Yount

YOUNT WILL PREVAIL

The story behind the Jack and Blonda Yount Educational Advancement  Program

Harold Jack Yount was born in 1900.   His wife Blonda Bushman was born in 1912. Jack’s mother died at a young age leaving Jack and several other siblings to be raised for a short time by an aunt and uncle in the East and then by his father living in the West.  He did not have a very prosperous youth.  By the age of 16 he was trying to support himself, traveling the country by sneaking rides on railcars.

One of his first jobs was working for the mines gleaning waste wood from the mines for 20 cents a week.  He saved enough money to get a small wagon with sides so he could haul more wood which he sold to neighbors for firewood.  During this time he was also expected to help with the support of his family.  For every load of wood that he sold he was expected to bring one load home to help his family.

As the years progressed he was able to get employment working on the construction of freeways in and around Los Angeles, the first of these being the Harbor Freeway near San Pedro.  He also worked on the Lopez Dam in San Fernando Valley for the U.S. Army of Engineers.  He also was an investor and did the grading for Forest Lawn Cemetery.  His greatest achievement was the building of Dodger Stadium. He was the main contractor for this great project. This brought him special respect and commendations in the Los Angeles area.

Blonda’s upbringing was less challenging. She was able to get an education and became a school teacher. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Blonda was hesitant to marry Jack, a non member. After several years of courtship she finally accepted his offer. Blonda was an avid golfer and sports enthusiast and was active in community affairs. She became as well connected in the community as did Jack.

In the (late 60’s) Jack Yount was distressed with the dress and behavior of youth of the time.  He expressed his displeasure to two LDS institute leaders as he was showing them land for a possible Institute building. Frank Bradshaw and Frank Hirshi challenged his indictment of all youth and said they could show him some that looked and behaved appropriately.  They took him to an LDS Institute of Religion where Jack was impressed with what he saw but wondered whether he might have been set up. So they took him to other institutes. He found great satisfaction that there were youth that were clean cut and not living the lifestyle he despised.  He went home, talked to his wife and changed his will. Half of their endowment is used to assist Institute students. The other half is used to provide loans to needy students.

Jack died in 1980, Blonda in 2004. Her death triggered the use of their gift to the LDS Church. Jack’s taking of the initiative for the endowment is interesting since he was never a member of the LDS Church. He had an aversion to organized religion. One half of their endowment provides the money for the Yount Fund Loan Program. It is fitting that behavioral requirements trigger the eligibility of applicants.

NOTE In honor of the Yount family the Yount Program was begun in Southern California.