Rev. David D Yearick

He was born in 1926 in Lock Haven, PA, the son of Harry O. Yearick, Sr., and Martha R. Yearick. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Margaret (Bobbie) Cochran Yearick, his son Bob (Nancee Lee) of Greenville, daughter Marla (Ted) Allston of Taylors, and daughter Genie (Jerry) McCorkle of Normal, IL, 8 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and by one brother, Norman, of Waynesville, NC. He was predeceased by 3 brothers and 3 sisters.

Graduated from Lock Haven High School in 1944, he worked as a route salesman for Yearick’s Dairy during his high school years. He served in reserve and active duty with the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1949; was trained as a tail gunner on the B-29 Superfortress, and was finishing his training when WWII ended. He served in the U. S. Occupation Army in Europe in 1946.

Yearick entered Bob Jones University in 1947 and graduated with a double major in Bible and Radio in 1951, after which he served on staff of radio station WMUU in Greenville until 1963.

In 1964, he became pastor of Hampton Avenue Baptist Church, later known as Hampton Park Baptist Church when they moved to their new location on State Park Road in 1970. Yearick served as Senior Pastor of this congregation for 39 years, after which he became Pastor Emeritus, a position he held until his Homegoing. During these years, he ministered through nursing home and neighborhood Bible studies and also had an active radio ministry.

Hampton Park Christian School was founded under his leadership in 1970. Over the years he has served on the boards of several Christian and non-profit organizations. He was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity by his alma mater in 1981, and was chosen as Alumnus of the Year in 1991. He served on the University Board of Trustees for many years. In 1999, he was presented the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, by Governor David Beasley.

Yearick will be remembered as a cherished voice at the pulpit and on the radio, a trusted pastor and humble leader in the community, and a beloved friend to thousands in the Upstate and beyond.

Visitations will be held on Sunday, October 30, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Mackey Mortuary on Century Drive in Greenville, and on Monday, October 31, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Hampton Park Baptist Church. His funeral will also be at Hampton Park on Monday at 2:00 p.m.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to EMU International, 209 Roberts Road, Taylors, SC, 29687; Spread Truth, 306 North Main Street, Bloomington, IL, 61701; The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center, 1000 Wilds Ridge Road, Brevard, NC, 28712; or to Piedmont Women's Center, PO Box 26866, Greenville, SC 29616.