Frederick Dalton Yancey Sr.

FREDERICK DALTON YANCEY
Source: Florida Historic Dramatic Contemporary, Page 864

FREDERICK DALTON YANCEY-Coming to the citrus fruit industry with a broad background of business experience, Frederick Dalton Yancey, of Umatilla, has owned and operated his own groves since 1914.

Mr. Yancey was born on November 9, 1888, in Umatilla, son of Benjamin Cunningham and Lucy Cairnes (Hall) Yancey. His father, who came originally from Greenville, South Carolina, was a lawyer and farmer in that state for a number of years. He spent fourteen years in Brazil following the Civil War, and during that conflict was a captain of the Artillery in the Confederate forces. He came to Florida in 1881, there establishing his own fruit and truck farm, which he operated for the rest of his life. His wife. Lucy C. (Hall) Yancey, was born in Columbus, Georgia.

Umatilla public schools provided Frederick Dalton Yancey's early formal education, and he was graduated from high school there in 1907. He also attended a business school in Jacksonville. His initial employment was in Jacksonville, in a stenographic capacity for the Cumberland and Liberty Mils Company, with which he was associated for two years. He held different posts thereafter, in Umatilla, working with [_____?] houses and construction enterprises as well as a small property which he has gradually build up to his present acreage. He has also given each of his children an orange grove. Mr. Yancey is one of the busy growers of the district, shipping a considerable volume of citrus fruits annually. He operated a citrus nursery for twenty-five years. Many of the citrus fruits now growing in central Florida were produced in his nurseries. In addition to his other activities he raises watermelons.

Many organizations in this area claim his active, help and interest, among them the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an elder since [1912?]. Hunting and fishing are his favorite recreations.

Frederick Dalton Yancey married, on September 30, 1914, in Umatilla, Bessie Hodges, a native of Georgia, the daughter of Brown Cato and Mary Elizabeth (McNeill) Hodges, of that state. Mr. And Mrs. Yancey are the parents of three children 1.Frederick Dalton, Jr., born September 27 1915, who married Margaret Louise Johnson. They became the parents of two children: Frederick Dalton III, born June 18, 1944; and Margaret Susan, born June 21 [1948?] 2. Lucy Elizabeth. born December 11, 1920, who is a teacher in the public schools. 3. Mary Ann. born July 5, 1928, who is a graduate student at Florida State University.
 

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Frederick Dalton Yancey Jr.

YANCEY, JR., FREDERICK DALTON, 94, passed away on Feb. 17, 2010. He was born Sept. 27, 1915 to Frederick Dalton Yancey and Bessie Hodges Yancey in Umatilla. Mr. Yancey was a lifelong resident of Umatilla and a pioneer citrus grower until the time of his death. Mr. Yancey graduated from Umatilla High School and from the University of Florida with honors in 1937. He was a member of Alpha Beta, an honorary fraternity for agricultural students. He was a supporter of the University of Florida Foundation and a loyal gator fan. He married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Johnson Yancey, who predeceased him in 2009 after 68 years of marriage. Fred and Margaret Yancey were recognized as Citizens of the Year of Umatilla in 1997. Mr. Yancey was predeceased by his sisters, Lucy Elizabeth Yancey and Mary Ann Yancey. He was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Umatilla where he served as deacon, elder, clerk of session, Sunday School Superintendent, treasurer and choir member for over 60 years. Mr. Yancey was also a member of the Umatilla Kiwanis Club for over 50 years, served as club treasurer and president and was awarded the honor of Legion of Merit. He is survived by his son, F. Dalton Yancey, III (Barbara); daughter, Susan Y. Seabrook (Elliott) all of Umatilla; grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Yancey of Fairfax, VA, Benjamin Cooper Yancey  (Brianne) of Umatilla, Jeffrey (J.J.) Kenneth Morris, Jr. of Longwood and Matthew Kelley Morris (Candice) of St. Petersburg; and great-granddaughter Avery Eileen Yancey. The family would like to thank Reba Carter and all the compassionate caregivers who helped to provide many years of quality life and assistance, especially during his final months. Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Umatilla, P.O. Box 407, Umatilla, FL 32784 or the Umatilla Kiwanis Foundation, P.O. Box 1911, Umatilla, FL 32784. Beyers
Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Visitation will be Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Beyers Funeral Home Chapel. A memorial and celebration of life service will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church, 593 Kentucky Ave., Umatilla, FL. Online condolences may be made at www.beyersfuneralhome.com, Beyers Funeral Home,
Umatilla.

 

YANCEY, MARGARET JOHNSON, 94, passed away on May 16, 2009 at the
Lakeview Terrace Retirement Facility in Altoona, Florida. Margaret was born February 18, 1915 to Rev. Lucius B. and Sallie Kelley Johnson in Hiawassee, Georgia. Margaret came to Umatilla as a seventh grader when her father was called to serve the First Baptist Church. At Umatilla High School Margaret met her future husband, Frederick  Dalton Yancey, Jr., and they enjoyed 68 years of marriage. Margaret graduated from Stetson University with Honors in 1938 and served in the Lake County School System for some thirty years where she was honored as Teacher of the Year. Her final post being the librarian at Umatilla High School from 1957-1980. Mrs. Yancey was active in the Umatilla Garden Club. She and her husband were recognized as Citizens of the Year of Umatilla in 1997. She was also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, social sorority and Alpha Delta Kappa, honorary teaching sorority. Margaret left her beloved Baptist faith and joined with husband, Fred, and her children as a member of First Presbyterian Church of Umatilla where she volunteered diligently and faithfully for the remainder of her life. She was a talented musician and served where needed as soprano soloist, choir director, pianist and organist, and moderator of the Women of the Church. Margaret was predeceased by her parents and by her sister, Doris J. McCullough. She is survived by her husband, Fred, son, Frederick Dalton Yancey III (Barbara); daughter, Susan Yancey Seabrook (Elliott), grandchildren, Benjamin Cooper Yancey (Brianne) all of Umatilla, Mary Elizabeth Yancey of Fairfax  Virginia, Jeffrey Kenneth Morris, Jr. of Longwood, FL, and Matthew Kelley Morris (Candice) of St. Petersburg, FL, and a great-granddaughter, Avery Eileen Yancey of Umatilla. She is also survived by nephew Ralph C. McCullough, II of Charleston, SC, and nieces Sallie Esther McCullough of Pine Island, FL and Permelia LaLonde, Lakeland, FL. Memorials may be given  to the Music Ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Umatilla. Beyers Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Visitation will be Monday, May 18th from 5-7PM at Beyers Funeral Home Chapel. A memorial and celebration of life service will be conducted at 11AM on Tuesday, May 19th at the First Presbyterian Church, 593 Kentucky Avenue, Umatilla, FL.

 

Frederick Dalton Yancey III

[FREDERICK DALTON YANCEY III]

Sugar Lobby Icon “D-Y” Retires from DC, Returns to Florida
by Gary – June 30th, 2008

This news post taken from an American Sugar Alliance communique this week noting that Dalton Yancey is moving back to Florida to retire after years of service to the sugar industry in Washington D. C. [as a lobbyist] Some of us have known Dalton simply as “D-Y” since way back when he represented the Florida Sugar Cane League. AgNet hats are off to Dalton Yancey and his wife Barbie as they return to the Sunshine State to enjoy their retirement years! Now, here’s the story published this week by the American Sugar Alliance:
The conclusion of the 2008 Farm Bill brought mixed emotions for the sugar industry. There were smiles of relief because the long political grind was finally over. But smiles gave way to tears when folks realized that Dalton Yancey, a 30-year sugar lobbyist, had completed his last legislative task and would now retire to Florida with his wife, Barbie.

Those who worked with Dalton remember the smile, the laugh, and the litany of anecdotes that could brighten even the darkest of situations.

Ryan Weston, Dalton's successor with the Florida, Texas, and Hawaii Sugarcane Growers, recounts one of his favorite Dalton stories:

One time Dalton was at a funeral for a friend of a close friend when the officiating pastor was caught in a traffic jam. Everyone looked around the room and Dalton, known as a gifted speaker and a lay leader, was quickly chosen to perform the funeral ceremony. Dalton did a wonderful job and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the fine stand-in performance, especially Dalton's rendition of the 23rd Psalms. Knowing that he should console the family at the end of the ceremony, Dalton went down to speak with the departed's brother. The brother said, Dalton, that was a beautiful Christian ceremony and thank you, but I thought I should tell you that our family is Buddhist.

And Dalton didn't just rely on humorous tales to pick his colleagues up when they were feeling down about the Farm Bill's glacial pace. He would interject his experience into the conversation, reminding others that he'd worked six Farm Bills over the years, and that no legislation worth having is ever easy.

His knowledge will be sorely missed in our industry meetings, in the corridors of Congress, and in federal agencies, explains Jim Johnson, the president of the U.S. Beet Sugar Association, but his legacy of accomplishments on the commodity and trade policy fronts will endure many years after his retirement.

Vickie Myers, the executive director for the American Sugar Alliance, said it was Dalton's unique ability to use his senses his common sense and his business sense that helped him earn the respect of his colleagues and the greater agricultural community.

At his retirement dinner held in the waning days of the Farm Bill, Dalton's peers shed some light on the life experiences that made Dalton such a leader within the sugar family.

Carolyn Cheney with the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida spoke of Dalton's spirituality he was active in Faith in Politics and his church.

Luther Markwart of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association thanked Dalton for his service to the country he won a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in Vietnam.

And Jack Pettus, who represents the Louisiana cane industry, expressed admiration for Dalton's ability to keep things in perspective in a sometimes jaded town there is nothing more important in this world to Dalton than his wife and two children.

Presenting Dalton a going away present from the industry was an emotional Jack Roney, who is the policy director for the American Sugar Alliance. You have personally helped heal wounds, Dalton, with your kindness as a constant friend and with your great sense of humor, he said.

Dalton, the sugar industry wishes you and Barbie a happy retirement. You may be 1,000 miles from our nation's capital, but you will always be close to our hearts.

Goodbye and good luck, good friend.