Rufus Gerald Yarborough

Rufus Gerald Yarborough, 77 of Sanford passed away peacefully at home Thursday May 11, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday (5/16/2023) at Sugarneck Venue, 4844 Buckhorn Rd, Sanford, NC.

Mr. Yarborough was born in Sanford, NC to the late Eura Johnson Yarborough and Geraldine Fore Yarborough. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Mary Sue Yarborough.

Mr. Yarborough worked as a sales representative for Harrelson Rubber Company and was a proud small business owner of Tire Sales and Service. He had a warm heart, kind eyes and was a jokester who was excellent at trickery and loved to have a good time. He loved visiting Sugar Mountain, staying at Sugarneck cabin, canoeing in the New River, and spending time at the beach listening to beach music and dancing to shag music. He was a master of the grill who reveled in Jeeps, Broncos, Rodeos, Stoneybrook horse racing, and collecting all things related to trains. He was a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge and passionate about debating his opinion, even his love of UNC despite his daughter’s dismay.  

Mr. Yarborough is survived by his wife Dorothy Talley Yarborough; son Darren Yarborough (Tammy); daughter, Courtney Yarborough Brown (Matt); three brothers, Billy Yarborough, James Yarborough, and Robert Yarborough; seven grandchildren, Nicole Yarborough, Scott Yarborough, Collin Zbehlik Yarborough (Emily), Joshua Yarborough (Melissa), Mary Coleman Brown, Eleanor Brown, and Frances Brown; five great grandchildren, Harley Hatfield, Shane Hatfield, Kelsie Hatfield, Tyler Hatfield, and Jaxon Yarborough.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.