Hurley H. Yarberry Jr.

HURLEY HOUSTON YARBERRY, JR. passed away peacefully at his home on September 15, 2012. Hurley, known to his friends as Hoot or Hootie was born in Reed, Oklahoma on November 10, 1922, spent his early childhood in Mangum, Oklahoma, and lived briefly in Amarillo, Texas. In 1933 his parents, Hurley and Margaret Yarberry moved the family to Houston where his father founded Houston Blue Print and Stationary Co. This was truly a family business and through the years many members of the family played key roles in its success including Hoot, his sister, Marion and his brother, Jim. After his father’s death, Hoot and his brother, Jim led the company for many years as it became a fixture of commerce in downtown Houston where everyone loved to shop for whatever they needed in office and engineering supplies and reprographic needs.

Hoot attended the University of Oklahoma where he joined Sigma Chi Fraternity and received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. However, his studies at OU were interrupted by service in the U. S. Army in the Philippines during World War Two where he served as a “Wheel Vehicle Maintenance Officer”. Anybody who ever met Hoot knew he could fix anything and luckily the Army figured this out, too. As soon as he was discharged in 1946 he rushed back to Oklahoma to marry the love of his life, Betty, and then completed his degree requirements at OU earning many honors including membership in Tau Beta Pi, the engineering Honorary Fraternity. He later was called back into the Army during the Korean Conflict when he served as an “Instructor Department of Motors”. He could tune an engine with a screw driver and pliers, perfectly.

Hootie had many life-long friends and was greatly admired for his many talents and accomplishments. He was extremely proud of his wife, children, and grandchildren and loved to spend time with them at their house on Lake Conroe. Hootie was generous in many ways including gladly sharing several giant scoops from the dozen or more gallons of Blue Bell he always had on hand in a separate freezer.

Hoot is preceded in death by his parents, sister, and wife. He is survived by his brother, James V. Yarberry of the Woodlands, Texas, daughters Linda Yarberry Vogt and husband, Jim of Cypress, Texas, Diane Yarberry Wilhite and husband, John of Colorado Springs, Colorado, son Scott H. Yarberry and wife, Martha of Allen, Texas as well as grandchildren Mark Vogt, Katherine Vogt, Aric Yarberry and Neal Yarberry.

There will be a visitation for family and friends at 5:30 PM on September 18, 2012 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on September 19, 2012 at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. The memorial service for Hoot will be held at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056 at 2:00 PM on September 19, 2012. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Hurley’s name may be directed to M. D. Anderson Head and Neck Surgery Research, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, or the charity of your choice.