Ray Yarbrough

Virgil Ray Yarbrough, 35 year resident of Green Forest, AR departed this life August 20, 2009 in Springfield, MO. Ray was born to John Virgil and Nita Yarbrough on April 12, 1923 in Grenville, NM. He and his four siblings were raised in west Texas and Ray became a Christian as a teenager. He graduated from Littlefield High School in 1941. He attended Texas Tech in Lubbock and Southwestern Aero. Institute in Dallas. In 1943, Ray enlisted into the military and served with the USAAF until honorably discharged in 1946. During his tour of duty at an isolated weather station in Canada, he met his future wife, Vera Gullason. Ray and Vera were married on August 7, 1945 and they had 4 children during their 54 year union. Ray and Vera lived in Baton Rouge, LA where Ray worked as a policeman. He was recalled into the Air Force during the Korean War. He retired from the Air Force in 1967 after 20 years service in locations including New Mexico, Louisiana and Wyoming. While at Warren AFB in Cheyenne, WY, Ray was senior officer of one launch crew for the Atlas Strategic Ballistic Missile program. This was the first operational missile squadron in the USAF. He later served as a site officer for the Minuteman Missile, until his military retirement. His military career took him around the world. In 1972, Ray moved his family to Green Forest. He worked in the family business until 1973 when a back injury left him disabled. He continued his lifelong passion for amateur radio which allowed him to talk to people around the globe. After the death of Vera in 2000, Ray pursued his dream of flying. He achieved his first solo flight at age 78. He moved to Springfield in 2008 and made friends as usual. Ray used to say that when he joined the military he was just a shy boy from a small town in west Texas. This shy boy made friends all over the world and will be dearly missed. Ray was preceded in death by his wife and parents. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Robert and Bill Yarbrough, son Dennis Yarbrough, grandson Michael Yarbrough, and grandson Tony Stever. Surviving family includes: Son, David of Meridian, ID Son, Doug of Flower Mound, TX Daughter, Elizabeth Spencer of Springfield, MO Sister, Alene McDaniel of Midland, TX Sister, Ann Mayberry of Tulsa, OK Granddaughter, Lisa Yarbrough of Flower Mound, TX Grandson, Tyler Spencer of Springfield, MO Great Granddaughter, Nichole Stever of Meridian, ID Great Granddaughter, Bailey Alvarez of Flower Mound, TX Funeral service is August 27, 11 A.M. at Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel in Green Forest. A military internment will follow at Pickens Cemetery in Green Forest. In lieu of flowers a memorial gift can be made to: CoxHealth Foundation 3525 S. National Ave, Suite 204 Springfield, MO 65807 417-269-7150