October 19, 1963 ~ April 26, 2021
Our brother Jeff came into our lives on October 19, 1963. He was number eight of nine kids with three sisters and five brothers to welcome him into our family along with Mom and Dad. He attended Creighton Elementary school and later attended East High in Phoenix. He worked a couple of years and then decided to serve our country, in addition he chose to honor our parents, I believe by choosing the same service they both served, the United States Navy. He thought these were the best and most exciting years of his life. He was trained and served as an electronics technician aboard the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, and forged many long time friendships, some of these men were still part of his life recently.
One of the highlights of his tour aboard the Carl Vinson was the chance for him to bring our Dad aboard the ship for the last leg of one of the long West-Pac tours, “Tiger cruise” brought former Navy vets along from Honolulu for a week of demonstrations and “showing off” the skill of the “active” seamen of the era as they made their way into San Diego! Jeff and Dad were telling stories for months after that. The training he had from the Navy led him into the electrical field., where he became an apprentice and then journeyman electrician. He finished his working career at Casino Arizona after many years of employment with good memories of the whole time.
By now I have exceeded the limits of good story telling but this is what I think of when I think of Jeff, a man of honesty, of sharing his time and skills when asked, of allegiance to his friends, of enjoying life with a beer at a NASCAR race, these and many more characteristics are the things I’ll remember. If you want, you can dig into his life to explore his flaws for yourself, he did have some, as for me I’m just going to be proud to say when asked about him “Hell yes he’s my brother!” I think I speak for many when I say, We miss you Jeff.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents James Leonard & Amelia Clair Grucella Yarbrough. He is survived by his sisters Frances Jo (Clyde) Fruchey, Starlyn Post, Donna (Steve) Schneider & brothers Jim, Rob, Tim, Greg & Mike (Brian) Yarbrough, along with with countless nieces & nephews. He will be missed by many. Fair winds & Following Seas. Services to be held Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 11:30AM at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Burial with Honors to follow at the VA National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at 1:30PM.
There’s a legend among eskimo people that goes something like this: the elders would pass this from generation to generation. Especially the children Here it is. When someone left their time in this world, they would go to the next world in the sky. There is a curtain between these two worlds, you can’t see it during the day time but at night you do see it, it is black, when you look up into the sky you see the darkness and you also see some twinkling lights. The lights come from the other side where our departed loved ones make little holes in the curtain to look down and check on the people of this world they left behind, they still love us! Say a prayer for them. By Jim Yarbrough
Patti Watts
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one, Sailor Jeffrey Yarbrough. I was just glancing at the newspaper today when I saw his obituary and then read this extended, online version.
His Navy picture looked familiar, but other than some similarities in our lives, I don’t think we ever met. Your Jeffrey attended elementary school at 27th Street and East McDowell Road. I attended elementary school in the Isaac School District and lived at 35th Ave and West McDowell Road. He was born in 1963, I was born in 1962. He attended East High School, I attended Carl Hayden High School in the West Valley. He joined the U. S. Navy. I joined the U. S. Marine Corps.
I don’t know why Jeffrey died at such a “young” age. (The older I get, the younger the age 58 seems to be to me.) I only know that he looked like he was a fine young man.
I really enjoyed the story about him bringing his dad on board his aircraft carrier for his Tiger Cruise. My dad was in the Navy during WWII. At first, he hated the idea of his daughter becoming a “Jarhead”. Later, we had some great times together as he and my mom visited me at various bases on the East Coast.
I hope your memories of better times sustain you during your time of loss.
Frances Jo Yarbrough Fruchey
Jeff, I have already begun to miss you, but I know you are with our parents and many friends, Jo Jo, and Bill. I am going to miss our chats on the phone, your jokes and you as my brother. I will always love you. SYOTOS!
Al Cerino
My heartfelt condolences to the Yarbrough family. Lots of fond memories hanging out with you all at East High, SEARCH, and at your family home. Will keep you all in my prayers and especially for Jeff. Jeff was a great friend and a lot of fun as well as his Mom and Dad and all you his brothers and sisters. God blessings and Peace to you all, Al .