Dwight "Chip" Yardley

Dwight Larry Yardley passed away peacefully at his home on February 4, 2021.  He was born on October 11, 1945 in Knoxville, TN.  Very few people, including family members, knew that his given name was Dwight because everyone knew him as “Chip.”  Chip is preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles Spurgeon Yardley and Birdie Louise Wilson who raised him as a child.  He is survived by his wife, Rosalinda Rosas Yardley and his only surviving brother, Danny Yardley.

Chip had a passion for baseball and was awarded a baseball scholarship from Carson-Newman Christian University but chose to defend his country by joining the United States Army.

He entered the U.S. Army as an enlisted and later was recognized for his leadership and selected for Officer’s Candidate School (OCS) and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.  He was also in the Army Reserves.  During the height of the TET Offensive in the Republic of South Vietnam, he was promoted to First Lieutenant on April 28, 1968.  Chip was a highly decorated professional soldier.

He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with (1 OLC).  During his combat tour in Vietnam, he was wounded twice and received two Purple Hearts (1 OLC).  In addition, he earned the Combat Infantryman Badge.  He was also awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.  Chip was released from the U.S. Army with an honorable discharge on June 5, 1969, serving a total of three years, one month, one day.

Due to his military service, Chip suffered from PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder).  This developed after experiencing and witnessing life threatening events in his life.  During one of their counseling sessions, Linda informed the group that Chip was her hero.  Upon hearing this from his wife, Chip was deeply touched and he cried tears of gratitude and joy.

Later in life, he worked as a hotel manager at the Hilton’s.  Subsequently, he became a professional car detailer traveling to various states for prestigious clients.

Chip was also a very talented tennis player.  And he was an enthusiastic and a dedicated Astros, Rockets and Texans’ fan. 

Chip loved to fish.  And he loved eating fish at Pappadeaux on special occasions with the love of his life, Linda.  Due to the coronavirus and Chip’s heart condition, Linda and Chip were unable to venture out as much as they would have liked to celebrate birthdays and their wedding anniversary. 

Chip had a special love for his dog “Coco,” who recently passed away.  Because of their love of dogs, Chip and Linda immediately adopted Bella and Shelby.  They then took in a stray whom they named “Chloe.”  Chloe ended up being his service dog by taking care of Chip in his time of need.  There was an exceptional bond between Chip and Chloe.

Linda expresses her love and a sincere appreciation to the numerous individuals, especially her immediate family members, sisters, brother-in-law’s, nieces and nephews, who have been her pillars of support during this time of grief.

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