On April 29, 2024, Stephen Edward Yeager was sent to heaven to meet his Lord and Maker. He was also reunited with Julie Weaver Yeager, who was the love of his life for 55 years here on earth.
He was born to Gladys and Randall Yeager on Dec. 4, 1945, in Lafayette. Steve grew up in Warsaw and graduated from Warsaw High School class of 1964. He then attended college at Indiana University where he met his wife, Julie Weaver. Steve and Julie started their epic romance on a blind date to see the musical Up with People. Steve put his values and relationships above all else. He consistently put the needs and feelings of other people above his own and he always had a way of making a person feel that they were the most important person in the world when he spoke to them. He led professionally with a mix of both ambition and compassion, and he cared personally with a mix of both compassion and love that can only come from someone that is driven by the Holy Spirit.
Upon completing his undergraduate work at IU, Steve began working on his law degree at the University of Tennessee, while Julie supported the household as a speech pathologist. He completed his law degree back at IU and then entered the Army JAG Corps to hone his litigation skills. After his JAG postings were complete, he moved to West Lafayette, Ind., to begin a career in civil defense. Later, he moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he continued his career in civil defense with his dear friends Cliff Shirley and Darryl Lowe at Lowe, Shirley and Yeager (now Lowe, Yeager & Brown) where he eventually retired. Steve had the reputation of a well-respected attorney that ethically and compassionately represented his clients while also competing at the highest level in the court room.
Steve was a role model in every way. Most importantly, he was role model in how to be a husband, father and man of God. He loved, cared and served Julie to the highest level and saw her as the most important person to him on this earth. He loved and cared for his children/grandchildren and ensured they all showed both ambition and humility as they took on life’s challenges. He loved God most of all. He understood how important it was that his whole family be guided by the Holy Spirit. Every family needs a Christian leader and Steve fulfilled that role better than the Yeager/Stokes family could have ever imagined.
Clearly, family was dear to Steve. As stated earlier, he was married to Julie for 55 years. He had one daughter, Sara Yeager Stokes and two sons, Charles Douglas Yeager and Kevin James Yeager. Steve always considered the people his kids married to be his sons and daughters. Curt Stokes, Kristin McClelland Yeager and Gabrielle Deathridge Yeager were blessed to have Steve and Steve was blessed to have them.
Steve is also a grandfather (Papa) to five grandsons and one granddaughter. Grandchildren are Colin, Andrew, David, Tate, Kylie and CJ. He loved each of his grandchildren and gently guided each to be the great kids/young adults they are today.
In conclusion, Steve was a great man. He was gregarious and fun. He loved to tease and troll to get a rise out of people. Most importantly, he was a selfless man who consistently put the needs of others above his own. Even as he was transitioning from his time on earth to heaven, he was doing everything in his power to be alert and loving in his final conversations strictly to make others feel better about his passing. He confirmed for us all that there is a heaven and that he can’t wait to be reunited with his family, his “shu-shu” (Julie) and Jesus.
Steve was preceded in death by his mother and father, Gladys and Randall Yeager; siblings: Jerry, Nancy and James. He is survived by his brother, Chuck Yeager.
The family will have a memorial service at Grandview Pavilion & Legacy Trail on Thursday, May 23. Receiving of friends is from 5 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a ceremony from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Grandview Pavilion & Legacy Trail, 2316 Graves Road, Maryville, Tenn.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Young Life Vanderbilt Capernaum (Home - Young Life Capernaum). Steve served on Young Life Committee in Blount County for several years and made many charitable donations to the organization. Sara Stokes (daughter) currently serves as an Associate Divisional Coordinator for Young Life College in the Southeastern Division, Kevin Yeager (son) serves on Committee for Young Life College in Nashville, Tenn. and Andrew Yeager (grandson) is involved with Young Life Capernaum in Austin, Texas. Donations can be made by going to giving.younglife.org/s/.