Paul William Yager

A man whose family was everything

Obituary

Our father died September 11, 2025, after a multi-year battle with bladder cancer. He was a beloved Patriarch and the center of our family.


Born January 12, 1932, in Bluefield, WV to Eugene and Dorothea Yager the last of four children. The family settled in Arlington, VA where dad went on to attend Washington and Lee High School where he graduated in 1950. During his high school years dad was not allowed to play athletics for fear of injury however, when rowing became an option, his parents begrudgingly relented and allowed him to participate. What was amazing is that eight young men who had never rowed before came together and went on to win the School Boy National Championship in both 1949 and 1950. A feat that had never been done before.

Dad went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania on a rowing scholarship and while there was asked to play football. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury and returned home to attend American University. He was drafted into the US Army where they stationed him at Fort Myer so he could train for the 1956 Olympic Rowing Team. After narrowly missing out on the Olympic Team, he went on to obtain another National Championship this time in a single scull representing the Potomac Boat Club. Paul went on to coach rowing for local high schools and colleges.


While stationed at Fort Myer he was assigned to the Army Communications Center at the Pentagon where made a career as a civil servant for another 33 years. Paul married Barbara Jean Lawrence in 1958 to whom he stayed married for 25 years. Paul and Barbara had 3 children, Michael, Laurie and Stephen. While at the Pentagon, he helped to usher in the computer era participating in impactful technology advancements. After retirement, dad followed his son Stephen and his family to Raleigh, NC where he made his home for the past 30 years.


Our father was a stranger to no one and was always willing to help anyone in need. He got his love of woodworking from his father where he applied those skills to helping all kinds of people from building furniture, decorations, sheds and helping young people with projects. He was an avid Washington Redskins fan where he enjoyed season tickets for over 30 years. Paul also loved golf and got incredible joy playing with his family.


No one loved their grandchildren more than our father. He attended every sporting and school event possible traveling between his children and was a constant fixture in all their lives.


Paul is survived by his children Michael (Jody), Laurie, Stephen (Annemarie); grandchildren Bradley, Samuel, Brent (Kristen), Katelyn, Trystan, Rebecca (Kyle), Grady (Briana), Nathan, Alexander (Kaitlyn) and Matthew (Taylor); and his six great grandchildren.


We will celebrate dad's life in Raleigh, NC on Friday September 19, 2025 at 11 am.
Providence Baptist Church
6339 Glenwood Ave
Raleigh, NC 27612

We will bury dad at Memorial Park in Merrifield, VA on Saturday October 25, 2025 at 1 PM.  We will hold a small service graveside.
National Funeral Home and Memorial Park
7482 Lee Highway
Falls Church, VA 22042

Psalm 127:3–5 (ESV) says: "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate"

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Eugene Yager

Dorothea Yager

Laurie Towery

Michael Yager

Stephen Yager

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Laurie Towery

Michael Yager

Stephen Yager

Paul Yager

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