Thomas Richard Yandell, Sr., follower of Christ, lived on this earth from January 24, 1929 to September 28, 2024. It was a life well lived. Not by his own estimation—he was far too humble for that—but by the testimony of all those (many long departed) who had the privilege of living in his sphere…who birthed him, trained him, cared for him, who shared his life as brothers, cousins and friends, as employers, coworkers and employees, of the one who was the love of his life, and of all those who proceeded from that love…children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. All testify to the greatness of a faithful heart, a man of quiet strength and dignity, integrity and intellect, wit and compassion, who followed his God with genuine faith and led those around him to do the same.
He was born on his grandfather’s farm in Madison County, Tennessee, the son of George Sidney Yandell, Sr. and Fanny Elsa Alexander Yandell, the younger brother of George Sidney Yandell, Jr. and Harry Joe Yandell. He attended Oakfield Elementary, Northside High School, and Lambuth College. In 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Keelen Bond Yandell. In their 74 years of marriage, God gave them 5 children, Thomas Richard Yandell Jr. (Dorothy Ann), Timothy Bond Yandell (Diane), Sandra Keelen Teague (Freddy), Carolyn Frances Happ (Steven), and LeAnn Yandell; and 13 grandchildren, Trey Teague (Ashley), Nathan Teague, Tara Yandell Clift (Brandon), Michael Happ (Ashley), Timothy Yandell (Toni), Derek Yandell (Tiffany), Keelen Happ Woods (Adam), Shelby Yandell, Lacey Yandell Atwell (Billy), Lee Yandell (Hannah), Luke Yandell (Amanda), Jacob Yandell, and Alex Happ (Brooke); and 27 great-grandchildren, each one a light in his life. Always a voracious reader, he also loved fishing with his brother George, following sports (particularly the career of grandson Trey), and exploring across the country with Keelen in their RV. A lifelong Methodist, he attended Hays Avenue, Andrews Chapel, and First United Methodist Churches. He pursued a career at Consolidated Aluminum for 26 years before leaving to found his own business, Yandell Security, now Yandell Construction Services, in the hands of his grandsons.
Preceded in death by his parents, brothers, daughter LeAnn, and eldest son Rik, Dick leaves behind a family forever grateful for his legacy of love.
The family will gather for a private graveside service on Monday, September 30.
