George R Yeager

George Ray Yeager, age 96 of Hoover, passed away on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. Mr. Yeager was born in rural Cullman County, Alabama in 1916 to Homer T. and Pearl H. Yeager. He graduated from Howard College (now Samford University) in 1939 and was a US Steel employee for 4 years. Mr. Yeager served in the U.S. Navy, where he reached the rank of Lieutenant during World War II. He saw action in the Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands and Marianas Island (Guam & Saipan) campaigns. Mr. Yeager was employed with the Internal Revenue Services for 35 years and was a tax consultant for the Government of Guam for 5 years. He retired in 1982.

Mr. Yeager was ordained as a Baptist Deacon at the age of 24. He served in this capacity in 6 different Baptist Churches in the U.S. and Guam. He was a Sunday School teacher in the Dawson Memorial Baptist Church and served in various other church leadership roles over a period exceeding some 60 years. He was active in Shades Valley Optimist International Club during the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Mr. Yeager is survived by his wife of 71 years, Viola S. Yeager, two daughters; Mrs. Rita(Harold) Bube of Birmingham, Mrs. Linda (Davis) Thornbury of Montgomery, Alabama, a son, George R. (Cathy) Yeager II of Birmingham, and a very special niece, Linda Gayle (Ed) Robinson, of Birmingham. Also by 10 grandchildren: Grey (Ruth Ellen) Yeager, Ryan Yeager, Dana (Chace) Hatcher, Holly (Dwayne) Rigsby, Kimberly (Mark) Pretnar, Chad (Shanie) Bube, Kevin(Amy) Bube, Jonathan Thornbury, Drew(Hannah) Thornbury, Donald (Sarah) Thornbury, and a host of great-grandchildren: 2 sisters; Patricia (Dempsey) Rutherford of Florence, Alabama and Maxine (Howard) Teel of Louisville, Kentucky and other family members. Mr. Yeager was predeceased by sisters, Freida Yeager, Susie Moncrif, Cherry Spruiel, and Jeanette Mahon.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. with a Memorial Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, 1114 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Al 35209. Private burial will be in the Yeager Family Section Cemetery at Concord Baptist Church, Cullman County.

The family request that memorials be sent to Concord Baptist Church in care of Charlotte Haynes, 8158 AL Hwy. 69 North, Cullman, AL 35058.