The Greater Cabarrus Foundation is honored to announce the creation of the Ken Yelton Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund, generously established and seeded by Uwharrie Bank. The Fund pays tribute to the late Kenneth “Ken” Yelton, who passed February 3, 2025, and aims to support Eagle Scouts as they pursue undergraduate education.

Over a distinguished 42-year career in banking, Ken served as Market President of Uwharrie Bank until his retirement in December 2024. He was deeply committed to community service, including leadership roles in the local chamber of commerce, United Way, and numerous civic and faith-based organizations as well as to the values embodied by Scouting.

“Ken was a man who was strongly rooted in love and compassion for his family and community,” said Tiffany Yelton, Ken’s wife. “He had an unwavering commitment to others in all his responsibilities, both personal and professional. He loved his family deeply and was an excellent husband, father, and grandfather.”

The scholarship fund was first announced at Ken’s Uwharrie Bank retirement celebration, a moment that held special meaning for him and his family. “Ken was incredibly proud that Uwharrie Bank honored him in this way,” Tiffany Yelton shared. “He was also extremely pleased knowing how beneficial this gift would be for future Eagle Scouts. This scholarship is an investment in the next generation and an enduring reflection of his legacy.”

The Fund will award $1,000 undergraduate scholarships to Eagle Scouts from the Central North Carolina Council who demonstrate leadership, motivation, hard work, and a commitment to service—qualities Ken lived every day.

“Ken always displayed the skills and traits of the Boy Scout creed,” said Pat Horton, former Market President at Uwharrie Bank and current member of the Greater Cabarrus Foundation Board of Directors. “He treated his customers with the utmost respect and always showed a willingness to help them.”

Horton reflects. “Ken proved his commitment to service every day in the way he lived his life. He was very proud of his Eagle Scout status, as well as his son, Bradley, following in his footsteps. Honestly, I was very proud to be his friend, and my life was richer for knowing him.”

Uwharrie Bank Market President, and former Eagle Scout, Brian Floyd shared similar sentiments, “I knew Ken years before I ever got into banking, and he always exhibited the qualities we teach our Scouts to strive for,” Floyd shared. “He was a man of the highest integrity who always did the right thing. Everyone who ever met him walked away thinking the same thing — that he was an excellent man.”

Floyd continued, “The thing that impressed me most was how involved he was in the community, yet he never sought recognition. He truly loved to serve — nothing could represent an Eagle Scout better than that.”

Reflecting on the scholarship’s purpose, Floyd added, “As an Eagle Scout myself, it means a lot to see this award help future Eagles. Scholarships like this helped me attend The Citadel and become the man I am today. It’s so special to see Ken’s heart for service live on through this fund. These young people have incredible potential, and this scholarship will help them realize it.”

The purpose of the Fund is threefold:

• To honor Ken Yelton’s legacy of service to Uwharrie Bank, Cabarrus County, Eagle Scouts, and the Central North Carolina Council (CNCC) of Scouting America;
• To recognize Eagle Scouts who demonstrate leadership, motivation, hard work, and a commitment to community; and
• To provide scholarships to Eagle Scouts from the CNCC district who are pursuing undergraduate post-secondary education at regionally accredited colleges or universities across the United States.