Albert Finch “AF” Yarick, age 84 of Rich Hill, MO, passed away Friday, June 12, 2026 at Saint Luke’s East in Lee’s Summit, MO. He was born May 23, 1942, in Fort Scott, KS. The second of three children to Frank and Thelma Yarick.
He grew up on the family farm west of Rich Hill. Attending grade school in Sprague, Jr High in Foster, and High School in Rich Hill, MO where he graduated in 1960. The only life he knew was the farm and that’s what he loved. He married June Coffman in 1961 and they were able to purchase a farm in close proximity to his parent’s farm, on which to begin their dreams. They remained there together for 58 years until Junes passing in 2019, and AF until his passing. They raised three children on this farm. AF was quoted as saying, “We grow kids, corn, wheat, and soybeans but kids are probably the most important thing.”
Dad was a man that understood priorities. When there was work to be done, he worked. But he always made time for family, and for the Lord. If the church doors were open, he was there with his family. He served faithfully as a deacon here at First Baptist in Rich Hill for 50 plus years.
Dad was a great storyteller. And he had plenty of stories to tell from his younger years of fast driving. I’m sure the stories grew a little with time, but everyone loved to hear him talk about his escapades. I think Mom probably put a stop to most of the fast cars after they were married, but Dad still had a need for speed and horsepower. In the late 1960’s and 70’s he became one of the pioneers in the sport of tractor pulling. What started as a local weekend competition amongst neighbors became a full-fledged motorsport that spread across the entire Midwest. Dad served as president of the MSTPA for a few years and was also a member of the NTPA. After a decade of traveling five deep in a single cab pickup with tractor in tow, the family convinced him to retire the old AC back to the farm. But he never lost his love for the sport. When David decided to start pulling some 20 years later, Dad was right there cheering him on. And clear to the very end as Cody continues to pull, Dad would make as many trips with them as he could. If he wasn’t watching in person, he was watching them on TV and even last week as he lay in the hospital, he was adamant that Cody and David go to Nebraska to the tractor pull.
Dad always thought big, and was never afraid of trying something new. This mindset served him well in farming. His willingness to embrace new technology and better methods allowed him to stay at the forefront of crop production. He loved the whole process from start to finish. From working the soil to hauling the crop to town he wanted to be involved in every detail. As the years passed and the farm grew though, he was quick to pass leadership to the next generations, and continue to give guidance and do the things that he could do to contribute.
He was a great mentor and role model. He enjoyed his community and visiting with everyone he knew. Through the years he served on the local school board, soil and water board, farm service agency board, and of course the church and many other community service activities.
His family was always important to him, but never more so than in these last 7 years since Mom’s passing. He occupied his time with farm work (a lot of grain hauling) and keeping up with the grandkids. He made countless trips around the section, stopping at David and Julie’s place and Rhonda and I’s place (and who knows how many trips by Ruth and Brad’s place in Monett on the truck), to get the rundown of what each of the kids was doing. And lately it had become more about what the great grandkids were doing and who was having the next one. I think he’s up to 10 and counting!
We have so many wonderful memories and so many blessings to be thankful for, because of a man who showed the love of our heavenly Father through his daily love and commitment to us. Dad, you will be greatly missed by all who knew you. But we know that you are home now, with Mom. We look forward to the day when we will all be together again, and we will always be thankful for the time spent here with you. We love you!
A.F. is survived by 3 children:
David and wife Julie Yarick of Rich Hill, MO
Stephen and wife Rhonda Yarick of Rich Hill, MO
Ruth and husband Brad Ridenour of Monett, MO
11 Grandchildren:
Cody and wife Breanna Yarick of Rich Hill, MO
Mackenzie and husband Lane Aldrich of Excelsior Springs, MO
Abigail and husband Jacob Thompson of Niceville, FL
Hope and husband Cole Campbell of Rich Hill, MO
Deborah and husband Samuel Coons of St. Clair, MO
Rebekah Yarick of Rich Hill, MO
Adriel and husband Lane Madison of Republic, MO
Joel and wife Desyrae Ridenour of Mt. Vernon, MO
Elise and husband Chandler Myers of Springfield, MO
Daniel and wife Carly Ridenour of Rich Hill, MO
Elijah Ridenour and fiancé Riley Cooper of Monett, MO
11 Great Grandchildren:
Baby Yarick
Scottie Aldrich
Elizabeth and Emmalyn Thompson
Keith Campbell
Easton Coons
Kingston and Krissy Madison
Ramona and Warren Ridenour
Janie Ridenour
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