Wayne Davis Yeager

Wayne Davis Yeager, age 78, of Gulfport, MS, died Saturday, October 19, 2024 at his home with his wife of 58 years, Sherry.

Their story began in Wiggins, MS at Perk where they met and fell in love. They got married in 1966 in Pascagoula, MS and settled in Hattiesburg, MS. Wayne graduated at University of Southern Mississippi in 1968 with a business degree. Shortly after graduation, he was drafted into the US Army at the height of the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War and attended boot camp at Fort Polk, LA. Wayne and Sherry were stationed in Fort Rucker, Enterprise, AL where they had their first-born son, Christopher Wayne Yeager in 1970. They remained there for two years for the completion of his duty. 

Wayne and Sherry returned home with Chris and built a life and business together on the MS Gulf Coast. They had their daughter, Karen Yeager Garner in 1972. The Yeager family is known for their loyalty and dedication to their family. You could always be rest assured they would be at all children’s games and events. Wayne even coached Chris for several years in little league baseball and football. He was known to be able to build and fix anything around the house where Karen loved being his “assistant". His dedication extended many years later to his granddaughter, Catelyn Yeager, where you could find him on the softball field in Covington, LA sitting behind home plate to watch her catch and play ball. His character was spoken through his actions. He was loyal, honest, wise beyond his years, and kind hearted. He was strong and never stopped whether running his business in Gulfport or building a field of dreams in Louisiana.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, V.W. and Walline Yeager and his loving sister, Jaqueline “Jackie” Yeager Hanson.

He is survived by his siblings, Virgil Yeager (Barbara), Sheri Yeager Willson (Jeff), and Jeffrey Yeager Bushea (Jim); his aunt, Inez Smith; his son, Christopher “Chris” Wayne Yeager (Nancy); his daughter, Karen Yeager Garner (Kyle); his granddaughter, Catelyn Yeager; his step granddaughter, Emily Garner; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. 

The memorial service was held on Sunday, October 20, 2024 for immediate family and close friends at New Life Methodist Church in Bay St. Louis. Donations can be made in his honor to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundations (JDRF) Breakthrought1d.org. 

To send condolences to Sherry or the family directly: 

Sherry Yeager; Kyle and Karen (Yeager) Garner, 6405 Poco Road, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. 

Sherry text: 985.264.3554, Karen text: 228.223.8999 

Chris, Nancy and Catelyn Yeager, 2166 Steven Street, Mandeville, LA 70448 

Chris text: 985.264.3555, Nancy text: 985.773.0935, Catelyn text: 985.264.9520

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Wayne Yeager.