Donald Yarger, Jr., 72
Memorial services with military honors for Donald Norman Yarger, Jr., 72, of Wasola, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in the Clinkingbeard Chapel in Ava. A visitation will be held at the funeral home before the service, beginning at 10 a.m. Military honors will be performed by the Troy Herd American Legion #112, where Don was a member, and the U.S. Army. Officiating will be Pastor Gordon Edwards, Reverend Danny Norton and Reverend Robert Roberts. The family will have a burial at the Rhodes Cemetery in Protem.
He died Jan. 7 at his home with his family by his side.
Donald was born May 25, 1953, in Sendai, Japan, to Donald Norman Sr. and Hazel Ailene (Coats) Yarger. They were there because Don Sr. was stationed there with the U.S. Army.
Don was a military child growing up in various countries and states. He carried on the military tradition and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1973, serving in Thailand and was honorably discharged in 1974. Don was in the Army Security Agency as a morse code interceptor.
He completed his master’s degree in education at William Woods University in Fulton. He taught in Gainesville and Ava and was an administrator at the Mark Twain School, where he retired.
He was a minister and pastor at Brushy Knob, Clear Springs and Salem General Baptist Churches. Later in life, he was a member of the praise team at Nixa General Baptist Church.
Don loved music, and he loved it loud! He played several instruments and enjoyed his time as a member of Big Creek Bluegrass. In addition, he enjoyed being outdoors and especially loved his time with friends and family at deer camp. Don also loved his many fishing trips to Canada with friends and family and shared stories about those trips.
On May 4, 1991, Donald and Vickey Allen Evans were united in marriage at Oak Grove General Baptist Church in Wasola. They have enjoyed many years together. His family meant the world to him. He felt blessed by the Lord!
He is survived by his wife, Vickey; children and their spouses: Rena and Jason Comer, Jenny and Heath James, Anthony and Stacey Evans and Cody and Jodi Yarger; 10 grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; one brother and wife, Ron and Connie Yarger; nieces; nephews; extended family and numerous friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and his granddaughter, Ivy Kate James.
Memorials can be made to the Gideon’s International or the Troy Herd American Legion #112. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.