Richard Michael "Mike" Yantis passed away in Arlington Sunday, January 22, 2017 at Arlington Memorial Hospital following a decades-long battle with cancer.
A memorial service conducted by Arlington police chaplain Harold Elliot and an Arlington police honor guard was held for Mike on Wednesday, January 24, at Wade Funeral Home.
Burial, with a grave-side service, will be in Dublin Wednesday, February 1st at 1 P.M. at Live Oak Cemetery, conducted by Dr. Cliff Sims of First Baptist Church. Those wishing to visit with the families are invited to a reception at the Dublin Historical Museum afterwards.
Mike was born at the Dublin Hospital November 16, 1955, the son of Dick and Mary Cowan Yantis. As first grandchild of Sam and Ina Vaye Cowan and Roy and Ruth Yantis, he was a "Dubliner" all of his 61 years.
Mike is survived by his loving family: Melissa, his wife, of Arlington along with children, Catherine, Elizabeth, Eric, and Jon and his wife Kandace of McKinney and their children Harrison and Ainsleigh O'Toole.
As his father, Dick, passed away in 2016, his mother, of Dublin, his sister and husband, Susan and Tom Martin of Abilene, and his brother and wife, Dan and Tami Yantis, of Euless, also survive.
Larry and Maddock of Arlington, their sons, Mike, Mark, Matt and their families are Melissa's parents and brother who welcomed Mike into their family 26 years ago.
Mike's growing up years were in Arlington, graduating from Arlington High School, a member of Fielder Road Baptist Church, where he and Melissa married in 1990, attending the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating from the North Texas Council of Government Police Academy, and joining the Arlington Police Department where he served 29 years.
If there ever was a fellow who REALLY loved fishing and hunting, it was Mike Yantis. Baseball was good; reading and friendships were important, but mostly, he REALLY, REALLY loved and cared for all of his family.
It was his wish the memorials be made to the Dublin Historical Society, something he took great pride in.