Board of Trust member Yarnell dies in Chattanooga

Samuel Igou Yarnell, a distinguished banker who was elected a lifetime member of the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust, died Oct. 14, at his home in Chattanooga. He was 80.

Yarnell

A former student body president at Vanderbilt, Yarnell was president and later chairman of the board of American National Bank from 1962 until his retirement in 1987. He was an architect of the merger of American National and Third National Bank, a building block of the present SunTrust Bank. He also served on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

"Over a period of many years, very little of a major civic or business nature took place in Chattanooga without the constructive participation of Sam I. Yarnell," noted an editorial in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press. "A tall, friendly, vigorous, good-humored and personable gentleman, Sam Yarnell made many positive contributions to our community during his 80 years."

Yarnell graduated from Chattanooga High School and then enrolled at Vanderbilt, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in 1940. He served as an Army weatherman during World War II and landed on Utah Beach on the third wave of the Normandy invasion. Following the war and a brief stint with General Motors, Yarnell began his 41-year career at American National Bank.

An active civic leader, he was campaign chairman of the United Way of Chattanooga during the 1970s. He was also chairman of the boards of trustees of both the Bright School and Girls' Preparatory School. He was a member of the board of trustees of First Centenary United Methodist Church and was instrumental in the creation and construction of the church. He was also a member of the Rotary Club, the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, and the Mountain City Club.

Yarnell's funeral was held Oct. 16, at First Centenary United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Cameron Yarnell; son Cameron Yarnell; daughters Nancy Yarnell-Houser and Ellen Yarnell; and five grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to First Centenary United Methodist Church or to a favorite charity.