Owen Eugene Yarbrough

Owen was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Yarbrough; his father, Lawrence Yarbrough; brothers, Wesley Yarbrough and James Yarbrough. He was born on November 20, 1940, in Stover, MS and moved to the Memphis, TN area at the age of 10.

At the age of 17, Owen enlisted in the US Navy as an aviation hydraulic mechanic and served on the USS Kersarge. His service continued in the US Naval Reserves until he enlisted in the US Army. This fulfilled his dream of taking flight. He served as an Army aviator for 18 years which included two tours in Vietnam. His military career continued in the Mississippi Army National Guard until retirement in 1993 at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four. Owen valued his military career and shared his experiences with others.

Owen also retired from the Memphis Police Department in 1996 after 25 years. He served as a pilot with the Memphis Police Aviation Unit and attained the rank of lieutenant. His aviation career continued as a Ground School Instructor at the American Airlines Flight Academy at Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, he retired in 2004.

Owen discovered his love of airplanes as a young boy in Tennessee. His passion was fulfilled when he left the puffy white cotton fields for the white puffy clouds above. His love of flying covered over 50 years and more than 15,000 hours of flight. He started with a fixed wing private pilot followed by a certified instrument flight instructor, ground school instructor, airline transport rating, and rotor wing helicopter rating.

Owen graduated from Bolton High School and Memphis State, majoring in Criminal Justice. He had a passion for reading and once relocated with 75 boxes of books. He shared his love of travel and history with his children and grandchildren on many trips across the country. Owen loved his travels to Europe after retirement. His proud possession of 53 years was his 1955 Cessna 170, affectionately called "Spot" and a 1943 L-2 Taylorcraft warbird.

He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Deborah (Debbie), daughters Lisa Sweet(Scott) of Pea Ridge, AR and Carrie Bullock (Mark) Bullock of Williston, TN; son, Curt Prestwood (Stacie) of Gulfport, MS; grandchildren, 1st Lieutenant Tucker Bullock of Temple, TX, Jack Bullock of Blacksburg, VA, Amelia Dahlem (Nate) of Parsons, KS, Evan, Aaron, Claire and Sarabeth Prestwood of Gulfport, MS; great granddaughter Adley Dahlem of Parsons, KS; brother William Yarbrough (Alicia) of Byhalia, MS and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

Owen was a quiet, generous and humble man. He loved family reunions, reminiscing and sharing stories. He was baptized at an early age at Lucy Baptist Church in Millington, TN. He will be missed by many whose lives he touched with his love of flight. Never desiring recognition, his legacy will not be forgotten.

A service honoring the life Owen Yarbrough will be held at Collierville Funeral Home 3863 Bailey Station Rd.

The visitation will be on December 20, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The funeral service will follow at the same location from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, with full military honors. The burial will take place at West TN Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gary Sinese Foundation, Tunnels to Towers Foundation or St Jude's Children Hospital.