David Yanity

(Oct. 16, 1978 - Sept. 13, 2012)

David Yanity, 33, of Oregon, died Sept. 13, 2012, at Pahaska, where he worked at Pahaska Tepee Resort, founded by Buffalo Bill Cody.

He was born and raised in Portland, Ore., and attended Capitol Hill Elementary, Jackson Middle School and Wilson High School where he graduated with honors in 1998. He was designated as talented and gifted in art by Portland Public Schools during elementary school. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 41 and was inducted into The Order of the Arrow.

For most of the past 15 years, he lived and worked in Wyoming. He worked many seasons at Pahaska Tepee in various jobs. He also lived and worked in Cody, Powell and Togwotee Mountain Lodge. David deeply loved Wyoming, passionately enjoying its natural beauty and its people. He was respected and admired as a strong hiker, great fisherman, for his wilderness knowledge, for wildlife and flora expertise, and his great energy and work ethic. He was regarded as intelligent, well-read and informed. 

He was a curious explorer and traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. He found the good in the places he visited and the people he met.

David was beloved by his family, friends and co-workers for his strong character, kind and considerate nature, great sense of humor and pleasing personality. He had a passion for protecting and improving the natural environment.

David is survived by his parents, Robert and Nancy of Portland, Ore.; younger brother, Brian of Fullerton, Calif.; grandparents, Charles and Pauline Bates of Green Valley, Ariz.; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and many, many friends.

A celebration of David’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at McMenamin’s “Kennedy School” restaurant complex,  5736 NE 33rd Avenue, Portland, Ore. The “gym” of the converted school is the location of the event. 

Donations in David’s memory may be made to any charity. Donations to organizations dedicated to environmental preservation and enhancement would especially honor David.

Ballard Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.