Sarkis Yahnian

Sarkis Yahnian was born on December 18th, 1932 to Sarkis and Hanum Yahnian in Visalia, California. Sarkis was the youngest child after his four sisters; Mable, Rose, Gladys, and Dorothy. Sarkis was actually born by the name Theodore, and started going by Sarkis, or Sark, after his father passed away when he was only 3 years old. Sark and his sisters were primarily raised by their mother on their family farm in Visalia.

After his father’s passing, Sark became the man of the house at a very young age. As the years went by, he helped his mother run the farm. Then at the age of 22, he was drafted into the United States Army and served 2 years, from 1953 to 1955.

Sark and his family attended St. Mary Armenian church in Yettem with many other families. One of those families were the Sousamians. Sark grew close with Sylvia Sousamian because her family owned a cow, and he would frequently go to her family’s home and buy milk from their cow. Sark and Sylvia began courting and soon decided to get married. They were married in St. Mary Armenian Church on November 13, 1954. Following their marriage, they were blessed with three sons: Bryan, Richard, and David.

With the help of their family, Sark and Sylvia ran Yahnian Farms. Sark ran the Huller, Bryan harvested the walnuts, and Sylvia ran the walnut sorter and the scale house. Year after year, farming remained busy and stressful. But Sark always made time for the people he enjoyed. For many years, Sark met with a group at Hagopian’s Deli. He really cherished the time he got to eat lunch, drink coffee, and visit about the issues of the day. Sark also always made time for church. From sitting in his same spot every Sunday to helping out with handy work during the week.

Sark remained very involved in the church organizations throughout his life; starting in Sunday School, moving on to ACYO, Mr. and Mrs., and Parish Council. He also served as a Diocesan Delegate. Sark was also a member of the Triple X fraternity for over fifty years, as well the Knights of Vartan.

In the early 2000’s, Sark started to take a step back from farming. Even in his older age, he kept very social. He attended many coffee groups throughout the day; he always loved keeping up with all his friends. Sark spent a lot of time laughing and telling stories with his family; he also enjoyed playing practical jokes and chasing after his grandkids. And his great-grandchildren were the new lights of his life.

In recent months, Sark had been staying in an assisted living facility in Fresno. During his convalescence, many loved ones and friends visited him. He was often treated to hamburger lunches and kebab dinners with his grandkids.

On Tuesday, October 19th, Sark passed away from natural causes. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sarkis and Hanum Yahnian; his sisters, Rose Attoian, Mable Shanoian, and Gladys Zallian. He is also preceded in death by his son Bryan Yahnian. Sark is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Sylvia, his sister, Dorothy Horrick, his sons, Richard and David Yahnian, and daughters-in-law, Renee and Jennifer Yahnian. He is also survived by his ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Sark was a man of strong will and strong faith, and he passed down his love and dedication of the Lord and the church to his family. My grandpa was a loving, caring, and generous man, and he will be missed greatly.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Yahnian family.