Franklin James "Frank" Yager (81) Dade City, FL, formerly of Newton

Frank Yager, age 81, of Dade City, Florida, and formerly of Newton, Illinois, passed at 6:30 PM on Monday, September 27, 2021. 

Frank was born on November 23, 1939, in Newton Illinois, the son of Raymond and Gertrude (Schafer) Yager. Gertrude famously said “He was the biggest turkey she ever had”. Frank (barely) graduated high school from Newton Community High school in 1957 (it should have been in 1956, because he was held back in first grade since there were not enough kids to go to the second grade, as he was the only one). He worked for the Illinois Central Railroad and served in the US Army Reserves (which his daughter gets a good laugh out of) and in 1958, Frank moved to Florida. He began driving trucks for Lykes Pasco after his brother Ray won a card game that got him the job. The other card players are still a mystery. He also drove for Ray when Ray was leased to Clay Hyder trucking as a driver.

Frank started Yager Brothers Trucking on July 1, 1965, with his brother Paul. The rest is trucker history. Produce was hauled from California to Florida for many years. Christmas trees were even sold from the lot of Yager Brothers trucking for several years. If it didn’t make money, it was not part of Frank’s life. Frank was a charter member of Owners Operators Association, and was a prominent supporter of two trucker strikes (in his front yard) in 1975, and 1979. He even met then Governor Bob Graham. Frank broke off on his own in 1978, with Sunshine Equipment Rental. In 1982, he started Sunshine Corvettes where he salvaged corvette parts and sold them worldwide. He eventually “retired” from this in 2003, and started raising his birds, especially turkeys (go figure), fishing, and raising his beautiful garden in which he grew his collard, mustard, and kale greens that he sold locally. Frank also raised and sold beautiful fruit trees, planting them in his yard for people to come and pick from. Frank’s favorite hobby was cruising the Caribbean with Shirley.

Frank was married to his wife Shirley, for 55 years. They had three children, Frankie, CareyAnne (Niklaus and Hollie) and Scott (Amy and Clayton). He was an amazing dad, making sure his children were well travelled and knew how to read a map. Survivors also include his best friend and co-conspirator Nilo Mendez; Shane and Colton Ryan; and his special tour guide in Roatan, Shelford Dilbert, whose family Frank loved to spend time with while cruising. Frank’s surviving siblings include his sister Jeanne Dobbins (AKA “the princess”) and brothers Lorraine, Kenneth, and Michael Yager. Frank initiated his brothers and sister into business at an early age by having them walk to the creek to catch and package the bait that he would sell.

Frank was preceded in death by the best parents/grandparents ever, Raymond and Gertrude Yager, his brothers Ray, Leroy (Corky), and Paul; his sister, Kathleen; and two baby daughters.

Frank did not want a funeral with people crying, he wanted a party with a buffet and for people to laugh and honor his memory. Since funeral homes are generally not a good place to have a buffet, a Celebration of the life of Frank Yager, will be held 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Saturday, October 9, 2021, at The Dade City Garden Club 13650 5th Street Dade City, Florida 33525. This will be a time for friends to gather with the family and to remember an extraordinary human being.

If you wish to send flowers to the family, please go through Marion Smith Floral in Zephyrhills, Florida, as they are friends of the family.

The Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, is assisting the family with local arrangements. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here.