RRU News:Retiree Ted Yarbrough has died

Long-time city fire official dies

Ted Yarbrough

Former Banning fire marshal and emergency services coordinator Ted Yarbrough has died. The sudden death Jan. 18 shocked leaders of the Pass area because it had only been in November that the 60-year-old fire captain had retired from active duty.

“Ann and I were shocked to learn of Ted's passing,” said Banning Mayor Bob Botts, referring to his wife. “We had just recently been to a countywide disaster preparedness meeting with him and of course he was in his element.”

Yarbrough suffered an apparent heart attack at home Sunday afternoon. He was taken to Loma Linda University Hospital, where he died that night, according to a statement by Dale A. Hutchison, deputy chief, Western Operational Area of Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department.

Theodore J. Yarbrough was well known and respected in the Pass area. He had worked many years with the U.S. Forest Service before joining the Banning Fire Department in 1990, where he served as fire inspector. In 1998, he became part of the CAL Fire/Riverside County Fire Department when Banning became part of the Riverside County cooperative fire protection program.

Bob Ewert, a former division commander with the Los Angeles Fire Department worked closely with Yarborough for the past 18 years. In an important part of Yarbrough's duties, he would go into local gated communities to help them organize their own self protection programs against disasters.

He and Ewert also went into the northeast communities in Banning and did the same. Yarbrough and Ewert together wrote a book distributed to Banning residents, which is a step by step procedure for public safety.

“Ted Yarbrough was always willing to show up whenever he was called upon,” said Ewert. “Just in Sun Lakes alone, which has the biggest public assemblage in Banning, he spent a considerable amount of time consulting and assuring that public safety was always first and foremost. His rigidity on demanding public safety be followed was very much admired.”

Although he had only retired in November he was anticipating becoming an active community volunteer.”

Banning Councilwoman Debbie Franklin's friendship with Yarbrough went back several years to the days her husband, retired Fire Captain Roy Franklin worked with him in the Banning Fire Department. “He was a true gentleman, a person willing to work with anyone,” Franklin said Tuesday. “He was so sincere and dedicated as he worked to resolve any problems.”

She said they had worked on the annual Disaster Expo in Banning and attended many community meetings on emergency preparedness.

“Ted's motto was ‘be prepared' and he stressed that wherever he went in the community,” said Franklin.

“Sadly we have lost a very sincere and dedicated true gentleman.”

Mayor Botts said that Yarbrough will be remembered as a dedicated fireman and official.

“There will be many things that describe Ted's legacy but the first two words for me are ‘professionalism' and ‘dedication'. Wherever and whatever Ted was doing, through his career and with the City of Banning, he was always dedicated in all of his efforts, and carried them out in such a professional way. We will miss him so much.”

Ted Yarbrough is survived by his wife Francie, son Andy (Lisa), daughter Becky (Vince), grandchildren Rachel and Sarah-Noel, three aunts, many cousins and his innumerable friends.

Graveside services are scheduled Friday at 10 a.m. at Hillside Memorial Park in Redlands, followed by a Memorial Service at noon at the Fellowship in the Pass Church, 650 E. Oak Valley Parkway in Beaumont.

Arrangement are being handled by Weaver Mortuary of Beaumont.

The family suggests donations to Wildland Fire Fighters Foundation, 2049 Airport Way, Boise, Idaho, 83705.

Obituary:

Theodore James Yarbrough

Theodore James Yarbrough was born in San Fernando, Calif. on August 22, 1948, to Harry and Virginia Yarbrough. After several moves, his family settled in Highland, Calif., where his brother, Rusty, was born. Ted graduated from San Gorgonio High School in 1966. He began his fire service career with the United States Forest Service as a Del Rosa Hot Shot in 1967. He continued to work for the Forest Service in Day Canyon, Waterman Canyon, Lytle Creek, Big Pine Flat, Vista Grande and Mill Creek until 1990. He spent a majority of his Forest Service years as a fire prevention technician, a job he loved. Ted married Francie Lee Higgs on May 27, 1972. They had two children, Andrew Charles and Rebecca Lynn.

After the Forest Service, Ted went to work for the City of Banning Fire Department, and retired in 2008, as Cal Fire Captain, Fire Inspector and Emergency Services Coordinator in Banning.

Ted had two grandchildren, Rachel Shalom Yarbrough, and Sarah-Noel Karisee Yarbrough, who were his pride and joy.

Ted went to be with his savior on Jan. 18, 2009. Ted will always be loved by his wife, Francie, his son Andy and daughter-in-law Lisa, his daughter Becky and son-in-law Vince, his grandchildren Rachel and Sarah-Noel, his Aunt Angie, Aunt Hass and Aunt Mary, his many cousins and his innumerable co-workers and friends.

Graveside services will be held Friday, at 10 a.m. at Hillside Memorial Park in Redlands, followed by a memorial service at noon at the Fellowship in the Pass Church, 650 E. Oak Valley Parkway, in Beaumont, under the direction of Weaver Mortuary.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to Wildland Fire Fighters Foundation 2049 Airport Way Boise, ID 83705.

Source: http://www.recordgazette.net/articles/2009/01/23/obituaries/08obituary.txt