Albert Rogers Yarnell

Life is not a destination; it is a journey. Albert Rogers Yarnell began his journey on October 25, 1923, in Searcy, Arkansas. He died at age 94 on January 7, 2018. Born the only child of Ray and Hallie Yarnell, he grew up in the ice cream manufacturing business begun by his father. He graduated from Searcy High School in 1941 and then attended Kemper Military Academy in Columbia, Missouri. He served his country in World War II decoding top-secret messages in China. After the war ended, he completed a degree in Dairy Science at the University of Missouri where he was in the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Albert Yarnell was a man for all seasons. First and foremost, he was a family man. He was kind and gentle to all and especially to his wife of more than 50 years, Doris Hoofman Yarnell. Albert was predeceased by a son, Reagin, and is survived by Doris and their three children, Rogers Yarnell, Camille Yarnell Fort and Melissa Yarnell, all of Little Rock. He also leaves behind four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. For over 75 years he worked with his family and his management team to make Yarnell’s Ice Cream one of the most successful regional ice cream companies in the United States. Yarnell’s truly became “Arkansas’ Ice Cream.” For this success and for many other accomplishments, he was inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2008, sponsored by the Sam Walton School of Business at the University of Arkansas. Albert has served Arkansas and his community in Searcy in many ways. He was Chairman of the Baptist Medical System Board of Directors in 2000 and served on the Board of Directors for over 40 years. He is a past- president of the Searcy Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club and also served as Mayor of Searcy. Albert and Zeke Chronister began the White County United Way in 1978. Albert was named Scottish Rite Citizen of the Year in 1996. He served as president of the Arkansas Dairy Products Association and was named to its Hall of Fame. In 2004, he was inducted into the Searcy Public Schools Education Foundation Hall of Honor as a distinguished alumnus. Albert loved quail, duck and pheasant hunting and enjoyed many trips to the fields and farms in South Dakota with longtime hunting friends and his son Rogers. Above all, Albert Yarnell was a man of great faith. He served as treasurer of the First Baptist Church in Searcy for over 32 years. Accordingly, a memorial service will be held at the church on Thursday January 11, 2018, followed by a family committal service under the direction of Powell Funeral Home. A visitation and celebration of his life will be held in the family ministry center of the First Baptist Church in Searcy on Thursday, January 11 from 12:30 to 2:00 pm. Yarnell Ice Cream will be hand dipped along with other snacks. His funeral will be held at 2:15 pm in the church sanctuary. Memorial gifts may be made to the White County United Way at www.unitedwayofwhitecounty.org. To sign an online guest book visit www.powellfuneralhome.net

Albert Rogers Yarnell

October 25, 1923 - January 7, 2018