Thomas Richard “Rik” Yandell, Jr., age 66, was welcomed into the Kingdom of heaven on February 23, 2017, by his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Born in 1950 to Thomas Richard Yandell, Sr. and Keelen Bond Yandell, Rik grew up in Jackson, graduating from Jackson High School and attending Memphis State University on basketball scholarship. He began his career, joining his father in Yandell Security and later shared that business, now Yandell Construction Services Inc., with his three sons. A longtime faithful member of Woodland Baptist Church, Rik lovingly served that congregation as teacher, counselor and mediator. He was Vice President and a founding board member of IOI, Indigenous Outreach International, serving over 18 years in its mission of supporting native ministers, churches, and at-risk children in Ethiopia.
Rik was a big man whose big heart showered love on family, on friends, and on people near and far who were hurting and in need. “Speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4) with Rik’s blend of good humor and mercy was his trademark, sharing the love of Christ his passion.
Rik is survived by his wife Dorothy Ann Dennison Yandell, of Jackson, TN, five children, Derek Edward Yandell (Tiffany) of Lexington, TN, Shelby Elise Yandell of Nashville, TN, Lacey Ann Renshaw of Chattanooga, TN, Lee Dennison Yandell (Hannah) of Jackson, TN, and Jacob Bond Yandell of Jackson, TN, five grandchildren, Noah Renshaw, Eli Yandell, Steevie Yandell, Heidi Yandell, and Mills Yandell, his parents Thomas Richard and Keelen Bond Yandell of Jackson, TN, one brother, Tim Yandell (Diane) Jackson, TN, and two sisters Sandra Teague (Freddy) of Jackson, TN, and Fran Happ (Steven) of Germantown, TN.
A celebration of Rik’s life will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017, at 2:00PM at Woodland Baptist Church with Patrick Beard and Len Kennedy officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00AM until 2:00PM at Woodland Baptist Church.
Those serving as pallbearers will be nephews Trey Teague, Michael Dennison, Brandon Clift, Michael Happ, Chesley Dennison, Adam Woods, Timothy Yandell, Luke Yandell, Alex Happ, and Caleb Dennison, with Nathan Teague and Bryan Dennison in absentia, and grandsons Noah Renshaw, Eli Yandell and Mills Yandell serving as honorary pallbearers.
The family has requested that memorial contributions be directed to Indigenous Outreach International, P. O. Box 10173 Jackson, TN 38308, www.ioiusa.org.
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305
731.668.1111 www.arringtonfunerlgroup.com
