Bret Anthony Yancey

Bret Anthony Yancey, aged 60, a once-time resident of Guymon, OK passed away July 10, 2024 in Dacula, Georgia. Bret was born November 6, 1963, to Jim and Marcia Yancey while Jim was stationed at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Kingsville, Texas. No doubt, Bret was inspired to make the U.S. Navy a part of his life because of his father's service to the nation. Bret retired from the Navy after 20 years as a Petty Officer First Class. When Bret was small, his family returned to the Guymon area eventually residing in the Straight community north of Guymon where his mother, Marcia taught school. Bret later attended the Guymon schools from where he graduated in 1982. Bret attended Panhandle State University for a short time before enlisting. During most of his U.S. Naval service and continuing into civilian life until his death, Bret was involved with the gathering and distribution of highly sensitive, strategic information and communications vital to military operations in the Persian Gulf and other regions. At the time of his death, Bret was an engineer with DataPath, Inc., a civilian defense contractor which provides these services to the U.S. Navy, and to which Bret had been employed for over thirty years. Bret is survived by his wife Merla, their son Bret, and her two daughters Leah Mae and Eunice, and granddaughter Aleah. He is also survived by his brother Clay and wife Denese of Guymon, OK; his nephews Colton Yancey (Mary) and Payton Yancey; and his niece Haley Yancey all of Liberal, Kansas. He is also survived by his aunts Dixie Ehrlich (Nelson) of Stillwater Oklahoma, and Lou Ella Hodges (Kenneth) of Gilmer, Texas and several cousins and other relatives. He was proceeded in death by his father and mother, grandparents C.E. And Delpha Dain, George and Maude Yancey, and granddaughter Sofia. During his Naval service, Bret lived in Spain, Saudia Arabia, Hawaii, Italy, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Kuwait. Bret loved to hunt and fish, spending time and traveling with his family. He was a talented singer and guitar player and spent many hours singing with his family. Bret was a very generous and loving person and unselfishly shared his love and abundant talents with his family, friends, and church family. His early departure from life has left a gigantic hole in the lives of his family and friends. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 22, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Pentecostal Church of Buford with Pastor Jordan Copeland officiating. Internment with Military Honors will be on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., prior to the funeral service.

Bret Anthony Yancey

November 6, 1963 - July 10, 2024