David Joe Yelton's Obituary
David Joe Yelton passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Clarehouse in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his beloved dog Lilly laying by his side. He was 84 years old.
Born August 22, 1940, in Indianapolis, Indiana, David was the son of Chet and Fran Yelton. He was a graduate of Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, Class of 1958. He loved telling stories of silly things he and his friends did on that campus.
David developed an early passion for airplane mechanics before discovering his true calling in Carpentry, where he specialized in the flooring industry. He began as an apprentice, and built an excellent professional reputation in the trade, where he was known as an expert craftsman. It was said of him that he could "make the most angry woman happy after he was finished with her new flooring."
His career brought him to Tulsa in 1970 when he joined C & C Carpet and Tile. It was after that when he met Sami, who would become his wife on February 4, 1984.
For the past 30 years, David's greatest joy has been in spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is known by Dadadee, his Grandpa name, to as many people as he is known by David.
David was a Godly man, happy, silly, fun-loving, joyful and precious. Those who knew David would agree to this~he was a man whose warm spirit touched countless lives.
For 15 years, David served as a youth minister at the Word of Grace Church in Tulsa, forming bonds with young people who maintained contact with him throughout his life.
David had a great love for adventure and enjoyed many hobbies. One of his great passions was sailing, and this took him on trips to lakes across Oklahoma, where he loved sailing on his Prindle catamaran. He also loved scuba diving, and he got to go on many trips around the Caribbean to explore the beautiful waters. Something he loved doing with his grandchildren was to go fishing. He didn't care if he caught anything or not! He also loved motorcycles and wood working.
David is survived by his loving wife, Sami; and children Deanna Villalon (Len); Jeff Yelton and Stephen Yelton (Kym); grandchildren Aly (Jerrod), Evan (Sabrina), Kyle, Megan, Sarah, David, Maria, Jessica and T.J.; his nieces Melanie (Tim) and Kim Ogden, nephews Joey (Amy) and Paul Caswell; and cousin Rocky (Claudia).
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Lori; and two sisters, Norma and Judy.
A service celebrating David's life will be held at Spirit Life Church on Saturday, May 17 at 11 AM. The family requests memorial contributions be directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital or to Jerry Morris Bridges International.
What’s your fondest memory of David?
What’s a lesson you learned from David?
Share a story where David's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with David you’ll never forget.
How did David make you smile?