I am writing this Celebration of David's Life… for "My Forever Friend" in the Library overlooking the bow of the Sea Cloud II on the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey. This sailing voyage I’m on is following the travels and ministry of the Apostle Paul.

My heart and soul are so hurt that I cannot be here today with you all to embrace Allie, Zoe and Eli. There is going to be a full orange Sturgeon Moon tonight on the Aegean Sea and you can rest assured David Yarborough and I will be having a few words together tonight.

David and I have known each other almost our entire adult lives.  From the very beginning of our amazing friendship, we have discussed and debated every subject that has occurred in the world… and in our personal lives for the last 48 years. We all know David's intellect… and he is one of the few men or women that I have ever known that knows a lot about… well EVERYTHING.  We have supported and helped each other with every conceivable experience both personally… and with our families.  DAVID IS THE PREFECT BROTHER I NEVER HAD.

I am going to share with you only two examples… of which there are many… of how David and I nurtured our relationship and relied on each other for guidance during the important times in our lives…  When I first met what I thought was a very special girl in 1982, I asked David to come have lunch with me and this girl but gave him very little background on who she was… or why he should meet her. As you can imagine I had a tremendous amount of respect for David's opinion and insight.  After lunch I eagerly asked David what he thought of this girl… I am not going to share all the good things he said… in David's special way… but I married that girl… Coco, my now wife of 39 years. 

The second example:  I had known David and Allie for several years and one morning I got a call from David.  David simply said Allie and I want to get married today! I said GREAT, Coco and I will meet you and Allie uptown at the Justice of the Peace.  So without hesitation, Coco went to Morrison Smith Jewelers to get a couple of rings they could use for the ceremony at the courthouse… and a full bouquet of flowers.  Coco and I got there early… and had it all worked out with the Justice of the Peace… When David and Allie arrived and it was their turn to be married, the court official said… that’ll be $15... so I immediately said this one is on me David… and paid for their wedding!

 As you can see, we were both responsible or had a hand in two of the most important decisions of our lives: marrying two wonderful women and now having have four incredible children. 

David's family, Allie, Zoe, and Eli, are my family… especially now… and David knows I would do anything for his family… as I know he would do for mine. Our families and especially David, Allie and my wife, Coco, have traveled all over the world together.  If you’ve never been with David and Allie on one of the international trips David has planned… complete with guides and drivers… you have missed a truly special experience in life.  

This coming Fall… we’ve scheduled a Backroads bike trip together along the French coastline… as well as a river cruise in the Bordeaux wine region… Next year we were planning to start in Vietnam… and begin an “around the world tour”… checking off our bucket list of places to visit.   

ALLIE....... I am going to insist you go on all these trips we’ve currently planned… and will continue to plan… and travel with us for the rest of our lives... I really can’t think of anything that would make David happier than for you to… spend time at the beach… and travel the world with all the many close friends you have.

We have all known and loved David in many different ways because David has made us all feel good about ourselves and the world we live in…  He always had a unique way of making life understandable… and could offer solutions or answers for us to consider.  For me, he has been my very best friend… I’m so grateful and blessed to have had him in my life… I thank God for allowing ALL of us to have experienced such a wonderful man.  

I hope we CELEBRATE his life and REJOICE today.....in knowing that we are all better people because of my friend David Yarborough… and what he has certainly meant to me… and to each one of us.