Donald E. Yarborough

Don was born March 16, 1947, in Brady, Texas. During his childhood Don moved with his family twenty-seven times throughout Texas. His dad was an electrician who worked on major construction jobs which required the family to relocate.

He served in the Navy from 1965-1969, stationed on board the USS Little Rock in the Mediterranean during the turbulent Vietnam years. After the Navy he married his first wife and had two children.

As a result of bad choices and addiction his life spiraled downward until he found himself desperate and alone. He prayed and God led him to people who encouraged him to choose to trust in Jesus. He found strength to live a Christian life through the drug rehabilitation program Teen Challenge in Riverside California. He entered the program in January of 1975 and graduated early from TC that summer and became the Dean of Men.

He met and married Jacqueline Hamblin August 9, 1975. Jackie also worked at TC and the two of them began to build a marriage and life that was once only a dream for Don. He earned his ministerial license in 1976.

At the end of their honeymoon Don and Jackie drove across country and stopped in Oneonta, for a visit with Jackie’s college friends. During their stay Don was invited to become the first senior pastor of a brand new church plant which later became Community Gospel Church. He did not accept the position immediately but the call became clear to Don and Jackie in the course of the next year and on October 20, 1976 his life as a pastor began. For the next forty-six years, Don served the church and the Oneonta community faithfully. He and Jackie had three daughters together. Don preached to his congregation regularly on the themes of covenant and love - themes which exemplified his life and ministry.

Don excelled in many things including basketball, billiards, and bridge. He loved all genres of music, subjecting his children and grandchildren to “Golden Oldie abuse,” as he called it. He enjoyed writing poetry and songs, and had a passion for knowing the meaning behind names. A lover of the Word of God, he committed large portions of scripture to memory. This love would be passed onto his children and congregation. Don told dad jokes before it was trendy, much to the embarrassment of his children and delight of his congregation.

Don was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Pauline Yarborough, brother, Dexter, brother-in-law, Terry Stevens, nephew, Gerry Stevens, son, Paul Davis Yarborough, and granddaughter, Hannah Raine Alsheimer.

He is survived by his loving wife Jackie; daughters, Tammy Collier (Frank), Amy Kropp (Dennis), Bethany Ingalls (Nathanael) and Kimberly Alsheimer (Ryan); grandchildren Tiffany (Matt), Joshua (Fei), Samantha (John) Courtney, Andrew, Alexander, Ashley, Caleb, Chloe, Ethan, Julia, Connor, Jude and Lydia; and great grandchildren, Memphis, Nora, Greyson, and Alice; sister, Sharon Stevens; sister- in-law, Jeanie Schmiedel; and countless members of his church family, past and present.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Community Gospel Church, 12 Grove Street, Oneonta on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 11:00 AM. On the street parking is available in the next block on Grove and on Academy Street and also in the ARC corner lot on Academy and Grove Streets. There is some handicap parking available behind the church.