Robert Ray Yeager, 80 of St. George KS passed away peacefully June 27, 2024. He was born 10, January 1944 at Salina, Kansas, the son of Guy Emmitt Yeager, Jr. and Anna Mary (Keim) Yeager.
He grew up in Tescott, Kansas, working in his father’s mechanic shop from the age of five years old. He attended Tescott High School where he participated in football, basketball, track, and the school play. He graduated as valedictorian from Tescott High School in 1962. That summer he worked the night shift at the missile airfield.
He attended Kansas State University for three years before getting drafted into the Military in 1966. After basic training he was selected for Officer Candidate School and became Major Robert R Yeager. He spent 22 months of active duty overseas.
Bob worked in the retired reserves for 35 years before retiring in 2004. Even before retiring he loved to read and started a library in his house. Since retiring, his passion for knowledge and reading continued, eventually having custom bookshelves made for his Chilton Book collection. In the winter he spent his time writing his own index for his airplane books because the one that came with the book was not good enough. In the summer he loved to be outside tinkering with his tractors and hay equipment getting ready for hay season.
Two brothers survive Bob, William Yeager and wife Judy of Georgia, Donald Yeager of Park KS, a sister Maryetta Wann of Hays KS, his children Gena Lorene Craney (Jacob), Anna Marie Fritzson (Mark), Wade Quincy Yeager, and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son George Brandon Yeager and his parents Guy, Jr., and Anna Mary Yeager.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday July 19, 2024, at the Lighthouse Baptist Church, 308 Lincoln in St. George. Private inurnment will be held at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at Fort Riley in Manhattan.
The family suggests memorial contributions in memory of Bob to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.