Desmond J. Yarnton left this life to continue his soul's journey October 30, 2018.  He was 88 years old.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Eilene Annie, in 2011.  Desmond is survived by his daughter, J. Anne Yarnton and husband Jim Holmes; his daughter Lois E. Yarnton and husband Rusty Thompson; his son Richard D. Yarnton and wife Anita Cintron Yarnton; his grandson, Chris Yarnton and wife Brittany, their children Madden, Carter, and Charlotte; and grandson Michael Yarnton and wife Alyssa.

Desmond immigrated with his family from Canada to Eugene, Oregon.  Traveling to Puerto Rico as an agricultural consultant in 1968, he fell in love with the island.  He joined forces with an American and an Englishman to open a commercial agricultural irrigation business.  Desmond's company, Caribbean Irrigation Sales, Inc. was instrumental in modernizing irrigation technology in Puerto Rico.  As his business grew, he designed and installed water systems on islands throughout the Caribbean.

Desmond also served as a Peace Corps instructor to agricultural volunteers in South America.

Throughout his life, education was very important to him.  He sponsored many young people who had the drive, but not the finances, to better themselves.

Desmond and Eilene moved to Springfield, Missouri in 1999.  They had always appreciated the change of seasons and the temperate weather.  Desmond was an avid sports fan.  Moving back to the states afforded him the time and tv channel variety to indulge him this lifelong passion.  Desmond built a lakeside getaway near Springfield and enjoyed a quiet retirement with his family near.

A public graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Crosslines, P.O. Box 3947, Springfield, MO 65808.