Harold Yadon

Harold Gerald Yadon

Harold Gerald Yadon (Gerald Roy McGinnis) age 94 formerly of Queen City, MO, died November 30, 2014 at the Excelsior Springs, MO Convalescent Center. Harold was born January 8, 1920 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Bessie McGinnis and Gerald Nottingham. Harold was taken as an infant by John Yadon and Minnie Yadon (Lea), and later by Daniel Lea who raised him as their son. He did not know his true identity until he entered the Army, and the finally met his real mother Bessie at the age of 59. Harold was a loving, faithful husband for 63 years, to June Elaine (Veach) Yadon, who preceded him in death. He is survived by one son, Michael Yadon and wife Page of Liberty, MO; one sister, Betty O’Hara of Florida; three grandchildren, David Yadon of Holt, MO, Judy Sexton and husband Zachary of Liberty, MO, and Honesty Yadon of Liberty, MO; three great grandchildren, Oakley Yadon, Madalynn Sexton, and Camden Yadon and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Judy (Yadon) Covington, Glenda (Martin) Shaver who was like a daughter, his father Gerald Nottingham, his mother, Bessie (McGinnis) Briggs, his brothers Roy and Gary Nottingham, his foster father John Yadon, his foster parents, Minnie and Daniel Lea, his foster brother Dougie, his foster sister, Sylvia Bayler.

Harold was a veteran of World War II, and initially served at the Concordia, KS Prisoner of War Camp guarding German POW’s. He then attended Advance Jungle Warfare Training in Ft. Lewis, WA, and was shipped to the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater. Once there he was assigned to the 330th Combat Engineers and helped build the Ledo Road. In the spring of 1944 Harold volunteered for the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), better known as Merrill’s Marauders. Harold took part in the battle of Myitkyina, and the unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Harold was awarded the Bronze Star x 2 for his service.

After returning, Harold held many different construction jobs in the Kirksville area, and worked for many years at McGraws. From the late 70’s until the mid-80’s, Harold and June owned and operated June’s Café in Queen City, where they lived since the late 1940’s.

Harold Loved and raised American Pit Bull Terriers, and was a huge fan of the sport of boxing. He helped coach and train many youths in the northeast Missouri area to regional and state amateur boxing championships.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday (December 13, 2014) at Dooley Funeral Home with Pastor George Bradburn officiating.