Neill A. Yarborough

Col. Neill A. Yarborough (U.S. Army Ret.)

BOSSIER CITY, LA - Col. Neill A. Yarborough, 93, U.S. Army (Retired) a native of Bossier City, LA died peacefully August 20, 2009. After graduating from Bossier High School in 1932, he attended Magnolia A&M Jr. College (South Arkansas University) in Magnolia, Arkansas where he enlisted as a member of the 153rd Infantry of the Army National Guard. As the hard times continued, he returned home to work as a welder but, continued his service in the Louisiana National Guard. He was commissioned in the Artillery (Air Defense) in November 1940. LT Yarborough was ordered to active duty in January 1941 where he served in North Africa, Italy, and Southern France as a Battery Commander, Operations Officer and Commanding Officer of a QM Transportation Battalion attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Following release from active duty in March 1946, he established and was co-owner of Superior Iron Works, an oilfield service company. In January 1948 he returned to active duty as a Major assigned to the Louisiana Military District Headquarters in New Orleans, LA. In July 1951 Major Yarborough was transferred to Germany where he served in several general staff positions including Inspector General and S-1. After completion of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and Special Weapons Course at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, in February 1955, LTC Yarborough was assigned to the operations staff of 2nd Army Headquarters at Ft. Meade, MD. It was during this period that LTC Yarborough also completed requirements for a BS degree in Military Science at the University of Maryland. In August 1956 LTC Yarborough was assigned to Korea (KMAG), as Senior District Advisor to the 5th Military District. Following his assignment in Korea, LTC Yarborough was assigned to the Seattle Area Air Defense in January 1958, and assumed duties as Brigade Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the 4th Missile Battalion of the 60th Artillery. After assignment as Operations Officer for the 6th Region Army Air Defense Command, LTC Yarborough was reassigned to his home town of Bossier City as an Army Liaison Officer to the 1st Combat Evaluation Group at Barksdale, AFB. He retired as a Colonel in July 1963. He received numerous military awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, Colonel Yarborough immersed himself in his hometown community and was employed as the Personnel Director and Assistant Administrator for the Bossier City Medical Center, retiring in 1979. Additionally, he was active in the Bossier City Lions Club, serving as club president and as Lions District 8-LGovernor in 1984-1985. He was also the co-founder and past president of the Northwest Louisiana Lions Eye Bank. An avid golfer, Colonel Yarborough served several terms as golf chairman at Palmetto Country Club and as president of the Louisiana Seniors Golf Tournament. He was a member of the Airline Baptist Church and life member of the VFW, American Legion and Military Officers Association of America. In 2007, he authored a HISTORY OF BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA FROM THE EARLY YEARS (1833-2006). That same year Bossier Mayor George Dement proclaimed him "Mr. Bossier City".

His wife of 57 Years Floris "Muggie" Yarborough preceded him in death. He is survived by sons Thomas R. Yarborough and his wife Jane of Springfield, VA and Neill A. Yarborough, III and his wife Mary of Houston, TX and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services for Neill Yarborough will be 2 p.m. Monday, August 24, 2009, at Airline Baptist Church with Rev. Chad Grayson, Pastor and Rev. Harrell Shelton, Associate Pastor of the church officiating. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Cemetery in Haughton, LA with military honors. Visitation will be 2-5 p.m. Sunday, August 23, 2009, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City. Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Bossier Chapel (318) 746-2543