Frank Lee Yarbrough

Dr. Frank L. Yarbrough, physician and musician, passed away Sunday, September 7, 2008 in Fredericksburg, VA at the age of 90. A son of the late Henry M. and Zula McCoy Yarbrough, Dr. Yarbrough practiced general internal medicine from 1950 until his retirement in 1985. A graduate of College High in Bowling Green, he matriculated at Western Kentucky State Teacher's College and received a B.S. with a major in biology. Throughout high school and college he studied violin under Mr. Hugh Johnson, professor at Western. He entered the University of Louisville Medical School where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in his junior year, graduating in 1949, summa cum laude. Dr. Yarbrough's internship at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C. was completed in 1950, following which he established his residence and his practice in Owensboro. During World War II, Dr. Yarbrough served in the United States Army infantry, being discharged with the rank of major.

A member and former deacon of First Christian Church, Dr. Yarbrough was an active member of the Daviess County Medical Society, serving as president in 1956. His love of music led to him to be a charter member of both the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra and its board of directors, which he served as president, and by whom he was ultimately recognized as a lifetime honorary member and the first director emeritus. He played as a violinist in the first violin section until his retirement from the orchestra in 1988. Dr. Yarbrough was a devoted member of the Owensboro Rotary Club. He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine Miller Yarbrough, in 1994 and a daughter, Gail Yarbrough Beck, in 2006, his sister, Sara Whitaker, and his brother, John V. Yarbrough.

Dr. Yarbrough is survived by his daughter Barbara Posey and her husband Bob of Fredericksburg, VA; his son, Frank L. Yarbrough, Jr. and his wife Penni of Seattle; his son-in-law, Robert E. Beck of Owensboro; his brother-in-law, James Whittaker of Simpsonville, KY; and nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Services are 12 noon Friday at First Christian Church. Visitation at Glenn Funeral Home will be from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and from 10:00 until 11:30 a.m. Friday. Entombment will be in Owensboro Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to The Owensboro Symphony Orchestra of the First Christian Church Organ Fund.

Messages of condolence may be placed at www.glennfuneralhome.com