Dr. John Charles Yarrington

1941 - 2024

Dr. John Charles Yarrington
07/26/1941 - 10/21/2024

Dr. John Charles Yarrington, 83, died on Monday, October 21, after a brief illness.

John was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on July 26, 1941 to Charles and Nadean Yarrington. He was an outstanding student and musician at Will Rogers High School (1959) and attended the University of Oklahoma on a piano scholarship. His talent in choral conducting emerged while at OU, where he led his fraternity to win the OU Fraternity Sing competition. After receiving his degree in Music Education (1963), he attended The Union Theological Seminary in New York City and earned a Master's in Sacred Music (1965). That year, he returned to Norman to become the first full time Director of Music at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church. He also began dating choir member and future wife, Diane Neaves. They married in 1966 and he began work on his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting at OU shortly thereafter.

After 13 years in Norman, he was recruited by First United Methodist Church in Dallas as Director of Music, with performances including notables such as Dave Brubeck and members of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. While in Dallas he completed and was awarded his Doctorate at OU.

His next position was in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he served as Director of Music at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. During this period, he established the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Chorus and was chosen as interim Conductor for the Symphony for a year. He also was artistic director of the Arkansas Chamber Singers.

After 34 years of directing choirs in churches, John was recruited in 1999 by Houston Baptist University (now Houston Christian University) as Director of the School of Music, Schola Cantorum, and University Singers. He served for 18 years. He especially enjoyed being the faculty representative and ardent supporter for the HBU basketball team.

John was also director of the Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian Church in Houston for 21 years. He taught private voice lessons. Most recently, he taught conducting as an adjunct Professor of Music at The University of St. Thomas, Houston.

John wrote and published six books, including "Building the Youth Choir", "Somebody's Got My Hymnal" and "Somebody's Got My Robe". He composed and published many anthems for church choirs.

He could be counted on to compose a clever birthday, wedding, or anniversary parody song and deliver it with gusto.

John's musical friendships were numerous and lasting, including his dear friend Alice Parker, as well as Austin Lovelace, Jane Marshall, Lloyd Pfautsch, Robert Shaw, Bev Henson, Ann Jones, Morten Lauridsen and Jim Jorden. He led workshops and made presentations across the United States and conducted major works by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn and more. He premiered Alice Parker's Opera, "The Family Reunion".

His choirs always received the best John could bring to each rehearsal and performance. He cared about every individual, was always available for conversation, and expected the highest level of effort in return. He emphasized that singing is relational, and he was committed to making his relationships authentic and empathetic. Perhaps the cornerstone of his professional and personal life was his remarkable sense of humor.

John cared deeply about his family, and he loved and admired his wife of 58 years, Diane. He would always give Diane and her excellent ear the credit for picking up details during rehearsals that proved helpful in achieving greater musicality. Diane also provided constant support and love for John and the six children they raised together. They shared and helped care for their 14 grandchildren as well. John and Diane enjoyed traveling with close friends and celebrating holidays and special occasions. They also led choir groups to perform in Austria, Israel and Jerusalem.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Nadean and Charles Yarrington and his mother and father-in-law, Frances and Charles Neaves.

He is survived by his wife, Diane, his children, Patrick Yarrington, Julie Howard (Kelly), Christopher Yarrington (Laura),Barbara Atobe (Matthew), Ryan Yarrington (Alyssa), Megan Guillen (Rueben), 14 grandchildren, and his beloved sister, Pat Torvestad (Bob). He is also survived by many who claimed him as "father," including Harold Jones, Taylor Faulkner (DeLenn Maples) and Ruben Alcala.

John was fortunate to love and live fully with both his music and his family. His choirs sang with a depth of emotion and excellence that touched congregations and audiences for decades. He leaves a marvelous legacy of musicality, humor, honesty, emotional availability and deep affection for all who knew him. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father, brother, and Pawpaw/PaPa to his grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of unconditional love for his family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 16, at First Presbyterian Church of Houston, 5300 Main Street.
(Live streaming at fpchouston.org)

Memorials may be made to the Chancel Choir at First Presbyterian or the charity of one's choice.