Yarbrough's life revolved around ministry of music
Harold Leroy Yarbrough lived a life of music.
As a child he played the organ at his future father-in-law's church in Rome, Ga., before he began dating Edwyna, his wife of 52 years, at 15. Later in his life his daughter Melody Macaulay recalled that he would sit down at a piano and play any song his granddaughters would ask him for.
And yet Macaulay said music will not be the saddest reminder of Yarbrough's passing on Christmas: the kind words he always had for loved ones will be missed the most.
“Even to the very end, he barely could talk, but would say ‘I love you,'” she said.
Yarbrough, who preferred to be called “Leroy,” died on Christmas after a yearlong battle with lymphoma, Macaulay said. Her father first manifested symptoms last Christmas and was diagnosed in February, she said.
Yarbrough rose from organ player to directing organ players after he received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Baylor University and became the director of the Baylor Religious Hour Choir.
He later did his doctoral studies in choral conducting at the University of Texas at Austin before he earned his doctorate in music education from Louisiana State University. He also served 21 years as chairman of the division of church music and professor of choral conducting and music theory at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Yarbrough worked in San Antonio at the Trinity Baptist Church as minister of music for a total of 13 years — though not consecutively — and in 2008 Yarbrough retired from First Presbyterian Church after working as the music minister for 11 years.
While working, Yarbrough's wife said he performed in 29 states, 30 countries and made more than 50 recordings and often traveled with his family.
“He took us all over the world, we've had a wonderful life together,” she said.
Edwyna said she would remember her husband as a positive, funny, fair, good-natured and caring person who was her best friend.
“My biggest problem was being without my other half, which is who he is,” she said.
Macaulay, Yarbrough's daughter, said she would remember her father for his love of history, traveling, reading and Mexican food, especially enchiladas, and his great affection, not only for his family, but also for his two sons-in-law, who loved him like a father. Her father was the type of person who was interested in everyone and never met a stranger, she said.
“He always made people feel they were important and special,” Macaulay said.
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