Charles “Yogi” J. Yager, 74, of Pitcher, NY, passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2017, in Groton, NY.
Born in Pitcher, NY, on July 17, 1943, Charlie was the son of the late Charles Ralph and Florence Livermore Yager. A lifelong resident of this area, he was a 1964 graduate of Cincinnatus Central School and a member of the Pitcher Federated Church. After graduation, he proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1965-1967 where he served in the Southeast Asian 1st Aviation Batallion and the Assault Helicopter Company. After leaving the Army, he worked at NYSEG for 34 ½ years where he was a graduate of the NYSEG Training Course. Charlie was active in the community as a member of the Knickerbocker Post #596 American Legion; served on the Cincinnatus School Board for ten years; past president and trustee for the Pitcher Cemetery Association; owner of Chuck’s Wiring; past treasurer and member of the Fingerlakes Decorative Painter Association; honorary member of the North Pitcher Federated Heritage Church; and a former Cub Scout leader. A friend to all, Charlie enjoyed music, dancing, and singing, playing the slots at a casino, and traveling on cruises.
He is survived by his children, Janet L. (Gary) Zimmermann of Saratoga Springs and Charles W. (Molly) Yager of Corfu. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Ryan and Amanda Zimmermann, and Riley, Emily, Ian, and Kaelyn Yager; a sister-in-law, Mary Dykeman of Virgil; his loving companion, Diane Slade of Groton, and her sons and families K.C. Slade and Marty Slade; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Darlene Dykeman Yager, on October 2, 2009; and sisters, Marion Wilson, Shirley Yorgensen, and Ella Pitcher.
The family will be present to receive friends at the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus, NY, on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the United Presbyterian Church of Cincinnatus on Friday, October 6, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. with Fred M.S. Downs officiating. Burial, with military honors, will be in Pitcher Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Charlie may be directed to the Knickerbocker American Legion Post #596, 2751 NYS Route 26, Cincinnatus, NY 13040. To leave a personal message for the family, please visit www.klsharpfuneralhome.com.