Jack Yerman: Mormon Athlete

Jack Yerman is an Olympic athlete and won the gold medal in the 4x400 meter relay at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy. He was the lead-off runner and the team set a world record with 3:02.2.

He was born on February 5, 1939, in Oroville, California, and grew up in Woodland. He played fullback for the University of California, Berkeley in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 1959.

Yerman joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after the Olympics. He was a high school teacher of sciences and economics at Chico High School where he also coached track and field. He and his wife, Margo, were the parents of four children. His son Bruce wrote Your Time Will Come: Jack Yerman and His Incredible Journey to the 1960 Olympics.