WATERVILLE – Steven Lawrence Yeaton, 44, of Farmington, died Friday, Oct. 19, at Maine General Medical Center, Thayer Unit, Waterville, following a brief, courageous battle with Hairy Cell Leukemia.

He was born Feb. 4, 1963, in Farmington, a son of Lawrence Earl and J. Gaynelle (Smith) Yeaton. He received his education in Farmington schools and was a 1982 graduate of Mt. Blue High School. While a student at Mt. Blue, he enjoyed playing football and cross country running. He also was an active member of four 4-H Clubs.

Steve continued his education at Central Maine Community College, majoring in automotives in 1984.

On April 16, 1988, he married Delana Lowell at the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, Farmington. Together, they shared in the joy of raising two daughters. He was a devoted husband and father and enjoyed his life’s work as a dairy farmer, continuing in his family’s footsteps.

Steve was a Miami Dolphin football fan and enjoyed NASCAR. Jimmy Johnson was one of his favorites.

Locally, he will be remembered as an “awesome” Panthers softball coach for the Farmington Recreation Department. He enjoyed teaching both of his girls how to play softball. His priority was to find and make the time to spend with his daughters and family.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Delana, and their two daughters, Michaela Marie Yeaton and Shula Celeste Yeaton, all of Farmington; his mother and father, Lawrence and Gaynelle Yeaton of Farmington; one brother, Scott Yeaton of Farmington; one sister, Darlene Nelson and her husband, Tom, of New Sharon; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.