FARMINGTON — Lawrence Yeaton was remembered Monday by family and friends as a farmer, a businessman, a civic-minded citizen and as someone always willing to share a good story or joke.

Yeaton, 82, died Sunday, ending his battle with various health issues since 1993.

“His spirit was indomitable,” Steve Kaiser, the town’s code enforcement officer, said. “Despite ailments that probably made him feel awful, he was always in a good mood. He didn’t let much get him down.”

Along with the hectic life of a farmer, Yeaton served numerous years as chairman of the town Appeals Board. Kaiser estimated he chaired for at least a couple decades and then continued on the board after leaving the chairman’s position. 

He also served on the town board of assessment review and 35 years as president of the board of directors for the Farmington Farmers Union.

He still served in the three positions at the time of his death.

“We always appreciate people that serve selflessly, especially for that long a period of time,” Kaiser said. “He was highly thought of and had a good sense of humor, which is needed in town government.”

Yeaton was a “part of the fabric of the community,”  Kaiser said.

Town Manager Richard Davis remembered him as very civic-minded and down-to-earth; possessing a lot of common sense mingled with good humor.

“In all my interactions with him on the town committees, I found him to be a real gentleman,” Davis said.

Yeaton’s daughter, Darlene Nelson, remembered a man who “loved to dicker,” whether it was for a car or piece of farm machinery.

For him, there was a letdown when the deal was done. He wouldn’t trade if the salesman wouldn’t haggle.

“He really tried to get a good deal,” she said.

She also remembers the father who would spend hours looking for his idea of the perfect Christmas tree, a full one. 

Someone who stayed at their Whittier Road home during the ice storm talked about sleeping under the Christmas tree, she said.  The tree was so full, its branches covered the family’s couch.

He always inspired those around him to do something well.

“He stressed when doing something, to do it right,” she said. “To him, there was no point in doing something if it wasn’t done well,” she said.

Yeaton’s brothers-in-law, Merle and Brent Smith, also remembered him as a hard worker and good brother-in-law who was always there for them in his own way.

“He was a super businessman. He knew how to operate financially with help from his wife, Gaynelle,” Merle Smith said.

Yeaton had to work to get ahead, Smith said. He had a new pickup truck while still in high school, Smith said of Yeaton’s work ethic started at an early age.

Yeaton started farming with a couple cows at age 10, Brent Smith said. He then worked for Milford Beal, whose farm was on Whittier Road at the site of the present high school.

The youngest of nine children, eight boys and a girl, Yeaton learned his mother’s tenacity for hard work at an early age, Brent Smith said.

After marrying in 1952, Yeaton went into the Air Force in 1953. He left some cows at Beal’s farm and, while the couple were stationed out of state, Beal helped them acquire the farm on the Whittier Road which they’ve owned since.

Yeaton milked his last cow in 2009 but has continued to harvest hay for customers.

The family always followed the fair circuit, Nelson remembered.  It was a family vacation,  premiums for cattle showing paying the bill. They would go from Bangor to Presque Isle to follow the fairs each week from August to late September, she said.

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