Austin Bryce Yarbrough

Austin Bryce Yarbrough, age 21, of Melrose passed away, Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at Shands Hospital from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident. Austin was born on January 7, 1996 in Gainesville, Florida to Dale and Sally (Greene) Yarbrough. Austin was a 2014 graduate of Interlachen High School where he was affectionately known as "Yar Bird." SPC Austin Yarbrough joined the Florida National Guard in February 2013 and completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia and graduated as an Infantryman when he was 17 years old. Austin was assigned to HHC 2-124 Infantry Battalion within the Scouts Platoon where he was awarded the Florida State Active Duty Ribbon on three separate occasions; two for supporting life-saving hurricane relief efforts during Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Irma and one for assisting law enforcement and providing security during VIP visits to the Gainesville area. Austin was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal when assigned as a Team Member tactically controlled by 449th Air Expeditionary Group, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing stationed at Camp Lemonier, Republic of Djibouti. During this mobilization to the Horn of Africa, he successfully executed 40 missions as a part of the Fly Away Security Team which provided security and protection for the 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron. Austin also completed 2-124 Infantry Battalions Long range Marksmanship Courses. Austins other awards include the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Superior Unit Award.Austin took great joy in his Jeep and Hunting with his family and friends. Austin will be remembered as a Patriot who loved his Country and as a young man with the contagious smile, and big heart. Austin was kind, fun and a great friend to many. Austin was setting the bar high for the younger members of his family with his success in the National Guard and with his daily work ethic. He was the first one to encourage family and friends to reach higher and work harder toward their goals. Survivors are his parents Dale and Sally (Greene) Yarbrough; a sister, Danielle Yarbrough and a brother, Hunter Yarbrough all of Melrose, Florida; maternal grandfather, Walter T. Pitts, III of Valona, Georgia; paternal grandparents, Clifford Yarbrough of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and Brenda Bishop of Interlachen, Florida; and his Granny Grape, Lavonia Link of Melrose, Florida; Aunts and Uncles, Arlene (Greene) Jones and Hugh Jones Jr. of Green Cove Springs, Florida; Maria and Teddy Seypura of Melrose, Florida; Derrick Yarbrough of Hawthorne, Florida; along with numerous cousins, extended family and friends. A memorial service will be held for Austin on Wednesday December 20, 2017 at 11 am at Eliam Cemetery in Melrose, Florida. Memorial contributions may be made to the Florida National Guardfoundation in honor of Austin Yarbrough, P.O. Box 717, St. Augustine, Florida 32085. Arrangements are under the care of Jones- Gallagher Funeral Home, Keystone Heights Florida. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com Cemetery Eliam Cemetery 861 State Road 21 North Melrose FL 32666 US Graveside Service Wednesday, December 20, 2017 11:00 AM - Eliam Cemetery 861 State Road 21 North Melrose FL 32666 US Funeral Home Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Keystone Heights 340 East Walker Drive Keystone Heights FL - 32656 US (352) 473-3176