Paul Yost Sr. truly has lived an incredible life. The Vista, Calif., resident was in Reno recently for his annual visit to the ABC Tournament with his team, "The White House Five."
He competed in his 38th ABC on May 10-11. Joining him were his son, Paul Jr., who was in his 29th ABC, daugther-in-law Patricia Yost, grandson Martin Yost, and longtime friend Carl Drechsler, who was in his 30th ABC.
Yost, 84, a retired Secret Service agent, served 24 years as a member of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police assigned to the White House during five presidential administrations beginning with Harry S Truman. It was Truman’s friends who on May 8, 1947 gave the avid bowler a birthday gift of a special two-lane bowling room.
Yost began his bowling career in 1950 when he helped organize the White House league, which continues to this day. He was instrumental in having the White House bowling lanes certified. During the 1964-65 season he served as president of the Nation’s Capital Area Bowling Association, which honored him in 1981 with election into its Hall of Fame.
Asked what was one of his most memorable experiences at the White House during his years with the Secret Service, he replied: "The day we moved the White House lanes across the street (to the Executive Building). We had to cut the lanes in half and take them out through the windows and reassemble them in their new location."