Adam Emron Yancey, 83
Wednesday, 16 April 2008

Adam Emron Yancey, 83, lifetime resident of Blackfoot, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at his home, of causes incident to age.

He was born Aug. 29, 1924, in Groveland, Idaho, the 11th of 17 children born to Emron and Dorothy Dean Yancey. He graduated from Blackfoot High School in May 1942, and left in May 1943 for service in World War II. He served with the 567th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion on the European front. He was honorably discharged in February 1946.
He married Thelma Lorraine Mitchell on May 29, 1944. Their marriage was solemnized Dec. 6, 1950, in the Idaho Falls Temple. He farmed briefly in Rose, Idaho, and then moved to Blackfoot where he spent the remainder of his life. He worked as a carpenter locally for some years and then continued in carpentry for seven years for Phillips Petroleum at the AEC in Arco. He then established his own successful home construction business. Many fine homes in this valley are a tribute to his excellent workmanship.
Adam enjoyed oil painting, photography, and church service. He was noted for his beautiful yard work and productive fruit trees. In addition, he enjoyed rock collecting and creating art work with his rocks. Adam and Thelma enjoyed traveling together locally and internationally.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in many capacities, including Elder's Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, Stake Genealogy Extraction Director, Stake Missionary with his wife, and numerous teaching positions. His teaching skills were notable in his ability to use life stories to illustrate and clarify doctrine. He was a faithful home teacher.
Always interested in civic affairs, Adam was elected to the Blackfoot City Council in 1976, and served there for four years.
Honesty, integrity and generosity were associated with his name in both professional and personal affairs. He knew and taught the value of hard work. His sense of humor has delighted many. He was noted for his ability to be a peacemaker and for his forgiving and compassionate nature. Many have been beneficiaries of his kindness. He had a great ability to comfort others in distress and was often asked to speak at funerals or attend the bedside of a friend or family member who was seriously ill.
Adam is survived by his wife, Thelma, and his four children: Janet (Gerold) Crook of Blackfoot, Janis (Michael) Langford of Las Vegas, Dave Yancey of Blackfoot, and Troy (Kaari) Yancey of Palmerston North, New Zealand. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings include Alzina (Al) Kauck of Streeter, N.D., Velda (Thomas) Plant of Richmond, Calif., Verda (Lee) Orchard of Blackfoot and LeRoy (Carma) Yancey of Bountiful, Utah.
Preceding him in death are his parents; brothers, Richard, Judson, John, Frank, David, Jesse and Wallace; and sisters, Matilda (Melvin) Ockerman, Wyora (Ted) Barney, Elvera (Arthur) Sylvast, Delpha Workman and Wanda (Art) Moss. He is also preceded in death by four grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2008, at the Blackfoot Fifth Ward LDS Chapel, 845 Grant St., Blackfoot, with Bishop Shawn Hepworth conducting. The family will meet with friends and family from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 18, 2008, at Hawker Funeral Home and again for one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in the Grove City Cemetery.
Because of Adam's love of children, family members have requested that memorial contributions be made to Primary Children's Medical Center or Shriner's Hospital in Salt Lake City in lieu of flowers.
Military rites will be presented by the American Legion Stewart Hoover Post No. 23.