James Keith Yarbrough

James Keith Yarbrough, 58, died peacefully on January 26, 2015 at his home in Odessa, Texas. He was born in Odessa on January 10, 1957 to Clyde Wallace Yarbrough and Lula Mae Stewart. He married Mary Louise Yarbrough on December 9, 1989 in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Keith graduated from Texas A&M University (’79) with nuclear and electrical engineering degrees and began his career at Oak Ridge National Laboratories in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He returned to Odessa to work with his father at Clyde Enterprises. After his time with Clyde Enterprises, Keith was Chief Information Officer at the University of Texas at the Permian Basin, a post he held for over 25 years.

Keith was a member of the Midland Shooters Association and an avid skeet shooter always on the hunt for his next perfect round. He was also active with the West Texas Jazz Society where he served on the board for many years and helped produce their annual jazz party, a tradition that his father helped to begin in the 1960s. Keith will always be remembered as a loving husband and father, a loyal friend, and a consummate host. Nobody will forget his quick wit and kind spirit.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29 at First Christian Church in Odessa, with Dr. Dawn Weaks officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The Marnie Rose Foundation at http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/run-for-the-rose/Keithyarbrough (Team: Keith’s Krew).

Keith is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his son, Jamie and wife Katie of Houston; his stepson, Jeff Murray and wife Katie of Fort Worth and their son Charlie; his stepdaughter, Holly Murray of Houston; his sister, Dianne Kluck of Irving; and his brother, Dan Yarbrough and wife Janice of Odessa.