Harold C. Yancey

"Serve to the End"

Our beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Harold C. Yancey, 90, completed his mortal journey and passed away from a heart attack on October 21, 2016 in Bountiful, Utah.  He was born June 8, 1926 in Blackfoot, Idaho to James Henry and Effie Jane (Cobbley) Yancey.  He was the youngest of eight children.  He grew up in Blackfoot and Idaho Falls, Idaho.  After graduating from Idaho Falls High School he joined the U.S. Navy and served honorably for two years.  After being discharged from the Navy he served an LDS mission in Argentina.

After returning from his mission he asked the beautiful girl next door, Ruth Lene Orme, to accompany him on the piano as he worked on improving his vocal talents.  This relationship quickly developed into romance and they were married in the Idaho Falls temple on March 23, 1951.  They soon moved to Glendale, California where Harold completed a degree in business from Woodbury Business College.  After graduation Harold & Ruth moved to Idaho Falls where he began his career in the insurance industry with American Agencies.  He was later transferred to Billings, Montana and then to Missoula, Montana.  In 1959 the family moved to Salt Lake City and a few months later to Bountiful. 

Harold worked in the insurance business for many years and was very well respected.  In 1985 he was appointed by Governor Norman Bangerter to be the Insurance Commissioner for the State of Utah and served in that position for 8 years.  From 1995-2005 he served as Chairman of the Board of Beneficial Life Insurance Company.

Harold loved music.  He had a beautiful tenor voice and sang in a male quartet, The Noteables, for several years.  He enjoyed attending concerts and enjoyed a Utah Symphony concert just prior to the heart attack which took his life.  He also enjoyed making and refinishing furniture, gardening, fishing, and sports including golf, college football and basketball, the Utah Jazz and the Colorado Rockies.

Harold was always engaged in serving Jesus Christ.  He served as an LDS Bishop in Missoula, Montana and Salt Lake City and as president of the Bountiful Utah Stake from 1974-1983.  In 1994 he was called to serve as the first president of the Bountiful Utah temple and later served as a sealer in the temple for many years.

Harold and Ruth have five children, twelve grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren with two more on the way.  He was a great patriarch to his family who love and honor him.  He was a kind and gentle teacher, a role model, and a Christlike servant to his family.

He is survived by his sons John (Margaret), Steven, and Robert (Anne Beale) and his daughter Laura (Duane) Toney.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, his parents, all of his siblings, and his son, Roger. 

A viewing will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 N. Main Street in Bountiful on Tuesday, October 25th, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  The funeral will be held at the Centerville North Stake Center, 1461 N. Main St., Centerville, UT on Wednesday, October 26th, at 11:00 am with a viewing before the funeral from 9:30 – 10:30 am.  Interment will be the Bountiful, UT cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers please find an opportunity to serve someone.