Garland Frankie Yarbrough, Jr. departed this world on April 11, 2021, while surrounded by his wife of 44 years, Jennifer Yarbrough, and his sons, Eric (Jennifer Free, Robert and Rachel), Brian (Shellie Thompson), and Robert (Jennifer Mikoll, Charlotte and Violet).
The son of Garland Frankie Yarbrough Sr. and Vivian Delores Yarbrough, Garland was born on July 29, 1954 in Portsmouth, Va.
He has two surviving sisters, April Abernathy and Cathy Daniel.
Garland was a caring man who was well respected and mutually loved by all who knew him. Called simply “G” by family and friends, he was known for his quick witted commentary and for providing “life lessons” to his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews - or to anyone else who would listen! He placed others first in all he did, and he maintained meaningful relationships with extended family and friends that spanned many years.
Garland retired from the U.S. Army in 1995 at the rank of master sergeant with over 20 years of exemplary service. Among his duty stations were: Heidelberg, Germany, where he married Jennifer and they had Eric; Ft. Hood, Texas, where they had Brian and he left active duty; and finally Chattanooga, where Garland joined the Army Reserves and they had Robert. He was mobilized to Ft. Campbell, Ky., in 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm, and throughout his career he earned multiple military honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.
Garland worked at Mueller Company in Chattanooga from 1980 to 2015, and during that time, he advanced from being a Pattern Maker’s apprentice to upper leadership on a reputation of attention to detail and extensive technical expertise. He was well known there for his problem solving abilities, and his family always enjoyed seeing the many different places a Chattanooga-made Mueller fire hydrant appeared in the world.
Garland will be missed in this world.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, April 16, in the chapel of Legacy Funeral Home with Artie O'Neal officiating. He will be laid to rest at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 16, from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made in Garland’s memory to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements are by Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8911 Dallas Hollow Road, Soddy Daisy, Tn. 37379, 423 843-2525.
To share memories, photos or condolences, please visit www.legacyfuneralhome.com.