July 23, 1925 - August 21, 2022
Milton Thomas Yarbrough passed away on August 21, 2022, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Milton was born on July 23, 1925 in Brownwood, Texas, the first child of Marvin and Maurine Yarbrough.
The family moved to Arkansas to run the family farm. Milton’s mother died when he was just 8 years old. Milton’s father, Marvin struggled to raise the children and farm the land. In 1942, Milton joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor was bombed and served in the South Pacific. His father remarried and soon Milton was surrounded with new little brothers and sisters.
After WWII ended, Milton moved to California and met Mattie Rowell. Milton and Mattie were married in September, 1948. They settled in Stockton and raised their four children. Milton was employed by and retired from Sharpe Army Depot and Rough & Ready Island. Mattie passed away last year after 73 years of marriage.
Milton was proceeded in death by his son Milton T. Yarbrough, Jr. and daughter Lou Ann Ransom (Tom), and his brothers Royce, Stanley, and Stephen Yarbrough and sisters Rae Flucard and Carolyn Hobbs.
Milton is survived by his daughters Greta Roley (Gary) and Janet Yarbrough, and his brothers Marvin “Eddie” and Sammie Yarbrough and sister Marilyn “Winnie” Bell; his six grandchildren, Gary Roley II, Jennifer Gentry, (Dave), Jill Martinez (Frankie), Tom Ransom Jr., Robert Yarbrough and Chloe Yarbrough, and his eleven great-grandchildren, Jessica and Alyssa Roley, Ana, Samantha, Lorena, Nicole, and Anabella Martinez, Mason, Autumn and Bailey Ransom and Harley Yarbrough-Oliveri.
Milton enjoyed learning and sharing about his family history, telling stories about the past and gardening. He had a gift for growing plants from cuttings he collected on family vacations. He was a true farmer at heart.
Milton was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and big brother. Milton was one of a kind and dearly loved by family, neighbors and others whose lives he touched.
Milton was a member of the Karl Ross Post of the American Legion, and was a Mason and member of the Morning Star Lodge #19.
SERVICES:
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., September 8, 2022 in the Evergreen Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Cemetery in Lodi. Internment will immediately follow the service.