Raymond T. Yeatman

Raymond T. Yeatman, 76, of Springdale, Ark., died on April 30, 2012. He was born Oct. 9, 1935, in Hamburg, Ark., to Corene Tucker Yeatman. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville from 1955-1958, followed by a 20-year Air Force career. During this time, he received a BS degree from Florida State University in meteorology and a master's degree from Colorado State University in atmospheric science. During his 20-year career as an Air Force weather officer, he served in Taiwan, Japan, Thailand and Hawaii in weather support during the Vietnam War. He was assigned duty as an Air Force ROTC professor at the University of Arkansas from 1971-1974. His last assignment was as a commander of air weather services at Altus Air Force Base in Altus, Okla. He retired as a major in the Air Force in 1978. He began a new career in the feed ingredient business, where he was president and owner of Farm Commodities Inc. for over 20 years. Ray was an avid golfer and a past president and board member of the Springdale Country Club. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, trout-fishing at Gaston's, grilling his family the "best" filet in NWA and spending time on his patio watching a good thunderstorm. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Springdale. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie A. Yeatman, to whom he was married 54 years, and two daughters, Lisa Van Osch and husband, Michael Van Osch, from Atlanta, Ga., and Julie Stokes and husband, Michael Stokes, from Copenhagen, Denmark. A memorial service will be held at Sisco Funeral Chapel on Friday, May 4 at 2 p.m. Flower arrangements may be sent to Sisco Funeral Chapel or, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bread of Life, 212 W. Emma Ave., Springdale, Arkansas 72764. To sign the guestbook, please visit www.siscofuneral.com.