Marvin Douglas Yeaman

Marvin D. ”Shorty” Yeaman, 77, of Needville, passed away on December 24, 2020 at his home in Needville.  He was born on November 6, 1943, in Hillsboro, Texas, a son of the late Chester and Etta Mae Kelley Yeaman.

Shorty was raised in the Hillsboro area and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1962.  He married Sharon Dianne Fitzpatrick on August 3, 1968, in Houston.  Shorty and Dianne and their family moved from Houston to Needville in 1977, where he was more than just a resident, he loved being in Fort Bend County.  He worked for Texas Instruments for more than 30 years where he was a manager in the Glass Shop, Fab Laundry & Evap Clean Up Room.  But when he became an auctioneer – he found his true passion!  An auctioneer for more than 35 years, Shorty sold anything and everything – from real estate to antiques, collectible glassware to heavy equipment.  His auction house in Old Town Rosenberg was a constant for more than 26 years.  But his heart was in benefit auctions and especially anything involving children. He was very proud of the funds he helped raise for various organizations and schools, including Lunches of Love, Seniors Meals on Wheels, Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy, pro-grads and senior serves, just to name a few. Before any auction at his auction house, donated items were sold to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  And between 1997 and 2018, Shorty and his family/auction company were very proud to have sent more than $34,000 to St. Jude. Shorty said he was blessed to have two healthy children and two healthy grandchildren and he wanted to do a little bit to help other children be healthy too. And of course, he did all those auctions in his trademark cowboy hat, boots and vest!  He always said, “I can’t talk without my hat and boots!”  He loved everything about Texas and rarely went a day without his Texas favorites – Blue Bell and Whataburger.

He was a proud member of the Texas Auctioneers Association for more than 30 years and was proud to have served as President in 2004 and was on the Board of Directors for 9 years.  He held a PhD in Auctioneering from Indiana University – Certified Auction Institute, CAI.  And he was very proud to be a member of the Fellowship of Christian Auctioneers International (FCAI).  Shorty and Dianne were active members of the Graeber Rd. Church of Christ in Rosenberg.

Shorty is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dianne Yeaman of Needville, daughter, Traci Yeaman of Needville, and son, Chad Yeaman and wife, Donna of Richmond, and his twin grandsons, Ethan and Aaron Yeaman of Richmond and brother Mac Yeaman and wife, Eva of Hillsboro.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 1, 2021 after 5pm.  The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 10am at Wharton Funeral Home with Mr. Allen Hahn officiating.  Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Wharton.

In lieu of flowers, the family has named St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as the memorial of choice.  www.stjude.org/donate

Funeral services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.whartonfuneralhome.com