David Winston Yeager

David was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on November 27, 1947. He attended Auburn University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology in 1970. He received a Master’s Degree in Oceanography from Monterey Naval Post Graduate School in June, 1979. He was commissioned an Ensign in the NOAA Commission Corps on October 1970, served on six ships, commanding three of them on missions throughout the world and Retired as a Captain, June, 2000. He earned numerous awards and received many letters of appreciation and commendation. Following his military career, David served as the Director of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Mobile, Alabama until 2008.

David spoke his mind, challenged the status quo when necessary, and persevered when others threw in the towel. He formed alliances when needed, dug his heels if he thought he was right, and more often than not, simply rolled up his sleeves and went to work. He championed the value of relationships and the blessings of divine providence and less his own accomplishment and achievement always humbly sharing the credit.

No matter where his service took him, David never lost focus of where he came from and returned to Pelham, AL saying, “At some point in your life, you need to know who your people are. In our rootless society today, those of us who have roots are very fortunate to have that connectivity. I’ll miss the proximity of the water, the smell of the water. That’s something you get in you and can’t get rid of.”

David is survived by his wife Sharon McEwen Yeager of Pelham; Son David William Yeager (Wendy), Athens, AL, Daughter Sarah Yeager Thornton (Michael), Stuttgart, Germany; four grandchildren Taylor Thornton, Duke Yeager, McEwen Rebecca Thornton and Seth Yeager.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul L. Yeager, the first Mayor of Pelham, his mother Willie L. Yeager former Postmaster of Pelham and sister Patricia Yeager Fuhrmeister, former Shelby County Probate Judge. He is also survived by 2 brothers Paul and Austin as well as an aunt and other dear family members.

“Eagles don’t flock – you have to find them one at a time.”

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2013 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, AL. Burial will be at Pelham City Cemetery, Friday, July 12, 2013 at 11 am with a Memorial Service at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Friday at 3 pm.

The family suggests gifts to St. Stephens Episcopal Church of Cahaba Heights, AL or

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.