Yancy Morgan Uitenham

Yancy Morgan Uitenham was born to Leonard Harry Uitenham, Jr and Dolores Antoinette Lee Uitenham on Wednesday, April 24, 1963, in Cleveland, Ohio. He departed this life on Saturday, August 19, 2023.

As the eighth of nine children, he grew up in the midst of a large loving family in a home that was the central gathering place for holidays and special occasions.

He graduated from Max Hayes Vocational High School in 1981. He enlisted in the United States Navy where he served for twenty years until his retirement. He was a diligent and professional sailor in the service of his country from 1981 to 2001. Yancy was stationed for several tours of duty in San Diego California, at North Island and the San Diego Shipyard. Yancy was skilled, proficient, and knowledgeable at his job and rose to the rank of Chief Machinist Mate (SW). In this capacity, he was involved in the supervision, maintenance, operation and administration of the ship’s propulsion plant and associated equipment. The Navy, recognizing his outstanding qualifications, had him serve as the liaison to the contractors manufacturing those systems and equipment for the Navy.

He retired from his last duty station on board the USS John F Kennedy, at Mayport, Florida. After retirement from the Navy, Yancy went to work for the State of Florida as a Youth Corrections Officer and Teacher. Upon his second retirement, he started his own business as a handy man in home repair and worked until his health would no longer allow him to safely do so. He was not one to sit with idle hands.

Yancy was a disciplined, skilled, caring, fun loving, and humorous gentleman you could ever hope to meet. However, he was very serious when it came to taking care of his family and was known to be a good provider.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Dolores, his father, Leonard and two older brothers Steven and Fabias.

He leaves many family members and friends to honor and cherish his memory starting with:

His only son, Melvin Lacy Holmes Uitenham,

His extra special friend and long-time companion Ms. Taunya Teahjay,

His uncle Edward R. Uitenham, and aunt, Cheryl Scott,

His brothers and sisters – Leonard C. Uitenham (Alvenia) of Greensboro, North Carolina, Deborah J. Hamilton, Yvonne Uitenham-Russell, Ervin M. Uitenham, Bernadine Tufts, Nicholas S. Uitenham, and Grace D. Uitenham, all of Cleveland, Ohio, and Kevin Terrell (Wanda) of Bessemer, Alabama.

His cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives, friends and colleagues too numerous to name.

Yancy loved the life he lived and was blessed to live the life he loved. He was a Sailor to the bittersweet end. Fair Winds and Following Seas. At Ease, Sailor!

I Timothy 6:12 tells us, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. Yancy himself tells us, “I GOT FAITH.”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GreenlawnJacksonville.com for the Uitenham family.