Biography: Robert Yancey Prosser 62, passed away Saturday, July 13th, 2024. Yancey was born June 18th, 1962 in Conway, Arkansas to his parents Pearl and Stewart K. Prosser. Both preceded him in death. His namesake was family-friend John H. Yancey, Arkansas’ most decorated WWII and Korean war veteran.
Much of his childhood was spent in the Hendrix College pool where he swam competitively. Foreshadowing future political interests and opinions, Yancey also served as a senate page for the 68th Arkansas Assembly. He continued competitively swimming for Conway High School where he served as co- editor of the Wampus Cat yearbook his senior year. Yancey attended the University of Central Arkansas where his studies ranged from medicine and musical theater to political science and journalism. Always diligent and hard-working, Yancey worked several jobs to put himself through college and earned a BS in journalism and theater.
Among several simultaneous occupations (and during the era of legwarmers), Yancey became a certified Jazzercise instructor at Jazzercise Little Rock where his classes were always well attended. He fulfilled his acting itch by being cast in many productions at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse. In 1999 he channeled his lifelong passion for the dramatic arts and production into a career at The Agency Inc. As director at The Agency, Yancey’s casting credits include well known productions such as True Detective, Mud, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, Slingblade, The Rainmaker, True Grit and many others as well as countless commercials and print advertising campaigns. “Yancey was a loved and highly respected casting director in the Arkansas film and television community. He had impeccable taste and great instincts and could spot new talent in a way that could only be described as intuitive genius. He could recognize the bright light in other people because he shined so brightly himself.” Yancey continued his indelible career at the Agency until his passing.
Yancey’s passions, like his personality, were dynamic and multi- faceted. He hosted epic events for family and friends, from weekly Razorback football games to Oscar watch parties. He was a fiercely enthusiastic supporter of the University of Arkansas athletics. He was particularly vocal about their football program, but if they had a badminton team, he’d be their number one fan. He enjoyed monthly outings with his dinner club and the other special friend group gatherings he helped cultivate over the years. No dinner was complete without a “Yanc-ident” - A newly developed recipe gone bad, a disastrous dessert, a small kitchen fire or when one of his Golden Retrievers would snatch the main course off the counter before serving. All would end in laughter with Yancey’s being the loudest and most contagious. Not only did he bring the fun – he was the fun.
Yancey is survived by his sisters Angela Prosser, Lila Ashmore (David), his brother Stewart Prosser (Karri), his nieces and nephews; Natalee Ferguson, MC Ferguson, Lizzie Ferguson, Madison Prosser, Emily Prosser, Stewart Prosser, David Ashmore, Aaron Ashmore, and Andrew Ashmore. He is also survived by great nephews Ellis Ashmore, River Ashmore and Gabriel Ferguson and great niece Mary Charles Ashmore.
A Wrap Party will be held in his honor on Wednesday, July 24th at 5:30 pm at the Glass Box at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. Please bring your favorite Yancey stories.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Arkansas Cinema Society, P.O. Box 7644, Little Rock , AR, 72217. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com
Christen, Kyle, Grace, and Corbin Pitts