Obituary for Daniel John Yeary
Daniel John Yeary was born to John and Eileen Yeary on December 28, 1938 in Miami, Oklahoma. He grew up in Cleburne, Texas where he was a star athlete and a leader both at the First Baptist Church and in school at Cleburne High. He then attended Hardin Simmons University where he played quarterback under legendary coach Sammy Baugh. Dan married the love of his life, Melinda Millican on March 31, 1961, and they began a life mission to share the love of Christ around the world.
Following graduation from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, Dan began leading student work for the Kentucky Baptist Convention. After two years, Dan was called to begin leading the college ministry at First Baptist in Lubbock. Under his leadership, the ministry grew so large they, by necessity, initiated one of the first student led worship services in the country. Over 1,000 students attended each Sunday. From Lubbock, Dan and Melinda moved to South Main Baptist Church, Houston where he served as Associate Pastor, and developed the first ministry to single adults among Baptist churches in the country.
Dan and Melinda were then called to the University Baptist Church in Coral Gables, Florida where Dan served as Senior Pastor. Under his dynamic leadership, UBC grew to exceed 2,000 attenders on a Sunday. After 18 years in Florida, Dan and Melinda, continuing to follow God’s call, then moved to Arizona where for two decades he served as pastor of the North Phoenix Baptist Church, one of the largest churches in America.
Facing the challenge of leading the church and being primary caregiver to Melinda, Dan stepped down from his pastorate at North Phoenix. They then moved to Waco, Texas in 2013 where he was given the opportunity to served as interim pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodway and adjunct professor at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Following Melinda’s death in 2016, Dan moved to Houston in 2017 to be closer to his children and grandchildren.
Dan was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Melinda, and his brother, Ron (Speedy) Yeary. He is survived by three children, their spouses, and 10 grandchildren: Wes and Erica Yeary — Braden, Caden, and Aubrey Black, and Karis Yeary; Steve and Missy (Yeary) Wells — Rachel (Wells) and Blake Lawrence, Ben and Joshua Wells; Doak and Amy Yeary — Sky, Colt, and River. Dan was greatly looking forward to the birth of his first great grandchild, Fischer Samuel Lawrence, at the end of this month. Dan is also survived by countless parishioners and ministers who counted him their pastor and who discovered God’s love in Dan’s love.
A service celebrating Dan’s life and Christian faith will be held at South Main Baptist Church, Houston on Friday, January 10th at 1:00, the Reverends Wes Yeary and Steve Wells presiding. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to South Main Baptist Church, Houston or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Following graduation from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, Dan began leading student work for the Kentucky Baptist Convention. After two years, Dan was called to begin leading the college ministry at First Baptist in Lubbock. Under his leadership, the ministry grew so large they, by necessity, initiated one of the first student led worship services in the country. Over 1,000 students attended each Sunday. From Lubbock, Dan and Melinda moved to South Main Baptist Church, Houston where he served as Associate Pastor, and developed the first ministry to single adults among Baptist churches in the country.
Dan and Melinda were then called to the University Baptist Church in Coral Gables, Florida where Dan served as Senior Pastor. Under his dynamic leadership, UBC grew to exceed 2,000 attenders on a Sunday. After 18 years in Florida, Dan and Melinda, continuing to follow God’s call, then moved to Arizona where for two decades he served as pastor of the North Phoenix Baptist Church, one of the largest churches in America.
Facing the challenge of leading the church and being primary caregiver to Melinda, Dan stepped down from his pastorate at North Phoenix. They then moved to Waco, Texas in 2013 where he was given the opportunity to served as interim pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodway and adjunct professor at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Following Melinda’s death in 2016, Dan moved to Houston in 2017 to be closer to his children and grandchildren.
Dan was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Melinda, and his brother, Ron (Speedy) Yeary. He is survived by three children, their spouses, and 10 grandchildren: Wes and Erica Yeary — Braden, Caden, and Aubrey Black, and Karis Yeary; Steve and Missy (Yeary) Wells — Rachel (Wells) and Blake Lawrence, Ben and Joshua Wells; Doak and Amy Yeary — Sky, Colt, and River. Dan was greatly looking forward to the birth of his first great grandchild, Fischer Samuel Lawrence, at the end of this month. Dan is also survived by countless parishioners and ministers who counted him their pastor and who discovered God’s love in Dan’s love.
A service celebrating Dan’s life and Christian faith will be held at South Main Baptist Church, Houston on Friday, January 10th at 1:00, the Reverends Wes Yeary and Steve Wells presiding. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to South Main Baptist Church, Houston or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.