Randle Yarberry

Col. Randle A. Yarberry, USMC retired, age 89, of Benton, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. He was born in Fayetteville and grew up in Fort Smith. He was the son of the late Ella and Bill Yarberry. He attended the University of Arkansas and graduated from Arkansas State Teachers (now UCA). Randle retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., after 43 years of service. He retired from the Marine Corps Aviation after 33 years of reserve and active service. He instructed pilots in the early part of WWII, later serving in Guam and Japan. He was recalled to the Korean conflict for two years. In Benton, Randle served as president of the junior chamber of commerce and received the distinguished service award in 1957. He was a member of the Benton Lions Club for 67 years where he also served as president. He is a Melvin Jones Fellow of that organization. He was involved with boy and girl scouting. He was a Girl Scout member of 55 years, hall of fame member, council board of directors, and helped in the building of Camp Storey for the Ouachita Girl Scouts. He also served on the Ouachita Boy Scout Council Board and worked with Saline County Boy Scouts on several committees. While serving as wire chief for the Telephone Co., in Benton, Randle was very involved in the community. He was a member of the city park commission and helped groups improve the park ball fields and Little League program. The United Way awarded him the gold award as a director. He was also very active in the Benton High School Band Parents serving as president and other offices. After retirement he was a consultant and contractor for National Electric Co., of Benton. Randle was also very active in First United Methodist Church in Benton where he served on the administrative board, finance committee, and trustees. For his volunteer work in the church he was given an award by the United Methodist Women. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sara Ann Lee "Sally" Yarberry; children, Linda Ann Bragg and husband, David, Marsha Harrison and husband, Preston, and Lee Yarberry and wife, Lita. Grandchildren, Cheri Bragg Castleberry and husband, Marty, Karen Bragg Haddon and husband, Mike, Kristin Bragg Steele and husband, Josh, Tofer Harrison and wife, Christine, Rob Harrison and fiancée, Hannah King, Erik Yarberry and wife, Sinead, and Brandon Yarberry and wife, Sheridan. Great-grandchildren, Brannon Castleberry, Mo Haddon, and Maddie Haddon. Pallbearers will be Tofer Harrison, Rob Harrison, Erik Yarberry, Brandon Yarberry, Marty Castleberry, Mike Haddon, Josh Steele, and Brannon Castleberry. Honorary pallbearers are Southwestern Bell Telephone Engineering Department, Northern Oil, National Electric and VMF-124 Marine Aviation. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, at First United Methodist Church in Benton, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A light lunch will be served. Funeral services will follow at FUMC at 1 p.m., with burial afterward at Pinecrest Cemetery. Memorials may be made to, First UMC of Benton, 200 N. Market St., Benton, Ark., 72015; Girl Scouts Diamonds Council, 615 W. 29th St., North Little Rock, Ark., 72114; Quapaw Boy Scout Council, 3220 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock, Ark., 72202; or the charity of your choice. Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.