Ramon Lyon Yarborough

Ramon Lyon Yarborough, Sr, of Fayetteville, NC passed away Sunday, August 20, 2023.

Ramon was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Lilly Yarborough; parents Mary Butler and Wilson Yarborough, Sr.; and brother Wilson Yarborough, Jr.

He was educated in the Fayetteville City Schools and UNC Chapel Hill class of 1955.

Ramon began his newspaper career in 1964; preceding his father in law Richard M. Lilly in 1971 as publisher of the Fayetteville Observer and President of the Fayetteville Publishing Company. He retired in 2000.

Ramon married Virginia Lilly Rankin in 1964 and is survived by his family, Samuel C. Rankin, Virginia Yarborough Colantuono (Tom), Ramon L. Yarborough, Jr. (Laura); his brother David B. Yarborough (Gail) of Charleston, SC; and grandchildren Thomas Colantuono, Emily Yarborough, Hannah Yarborough, and Ramon Yarborough III.

Mr. Yarborough served on many boards and received numerous honors and awards including Fayetteville Citizen of the year (1989), Humanitarian Award (1993), Realtor’s Cup (1995), Businessman of the Year NC Magazine (1985), Entrepreneur of the Year Methodist University (1985), NC Journalism Hall of Fame (2003), and Order of the Longleaf Pine (2000). Mr. Yarborough also served on the Board of Trustees including NC Citizens for Business and Industry, NC Press and Foundation, Carolina Motor Club, School of Science & Math, First Union National Bank, Cumberland Community Foundation, Methodist College and University, UNC Chapel Hill Board of Visitors, United Press International, and Vision Resource Center.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to his caregiver, Norma Zakers.

A memorial service will be held at St. Johns Episcopal Church on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 2 P.M. A private burial will be held at Cross Creek Cemetery Section 3 in Fayetteville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. John’s Episcopal Church, Cumberland Community Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be left at http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301.

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