Walter Yeakel was born November 28, 1932, in Silt, Colorado. He passed away at The Colorado State Veterans Home June 23, 2019.
He was the fourth child of David Yeakel & Mollie Wagner-Yeakel.
Walter attended elementary school in Antlers and attended High School in Rifle, Colorado.
Walter served in the United States Army from 1954-1955, as a cook in the Korean War.
Walter jockeyed race horses for his dad as a youngster. Then turned to calf & steer roping and competed in many rodeos in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond.
Walter married Ardis McGraw November 18, 1956, at Garfield Creek, and together they raised 5 children.
Walter worked at Thompson Creek coal mine until it closed in 1966. Then he was a horseshoer (Farrier) for a majority of his adult working life. Then returned to his first love of horses and cattle ranching until retirement.
Walter became a resident at The Colorado State Veterans Home on August 18, 2014.
Walter is preceded in death by his parents David & Mollie Yeakel, 2 brothers Dick & John, and his sister Mary Mobley.
Walter is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ardis Yeakel of Silt; his 5 children, Susan Kawata (Randy), Evans, CO, Tom Yeakel (Nellie), Silt, CO, Colleen Hoeper (Bill), Centennial, CO, Holly Parker (Karl) Rifle, CO, and Patty Yeakel-Nordlie (Kenny), Rifle, CO; 3 brothers, George, Jerry & Bob; 6 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.
Walter will be missed by all!!
There will be no funeral services. Cremation has already taken place.