Fred Thomas York
Fred Thomas York
Graveside services for Fred Thomas York, 94, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 25, 2020 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. York passed away Monday morning, October 19, 2020 at Progress West Hospital, O’Fallon, Missouri.
He was born August 5, 1926 in Sherman, Texas to James Maurice “Marney” and Margaret York. They moved to New Mexico, where his brothers and sister were born in following years. He was the oldest of four children. At 17 years of age and during World War II, Fred joined the United States Navy. He was an electrician aboard the USS Cummings destroyer. During this time, his ship escorted President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Alaska for a historic meeting with world leaders and then served as the backdrop for the President’s national broadcast at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. In the following months, the USS Cummings returned to battle and was near Iwo Jima as the war ended. Fred was discharged after the war on March 9th, 1946. On March 5, 1947, he was married in Arkansas City, Kansas, to Helen Flottman. Fred began his civilian life by using his electrical and mechanical skills to repair and build, which led him to large construction projects. He enjoyed teaching others and lived many places including Kansas, California, Louisiana and South America. Fred and Helen moved their family to Missouri in 1970 with the purchase of a farm in Pomona. Fred’s unique work with raising feeder pigs led him to earning the Missouri Farm Family of the Year Award in 1974. In 1977, Fred worked with son Gary to build the Glass Sword Theatre, calculating down to the exact block on the materials they needed. Fred was also a 7th degree Mason. Fred and Helen were married 73 years until Helen’s recent death on October 1st.
He is survived by his three children, Linda York Greer and husband Dorance, Rock Hill, South Carolina, Gary York and wife, Regina, West Plains, Missouri and Amy Iven and husband, Dean, Saint Charles, Missouri; as well as eight grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
Janet &Craig Harrison
October 20, 2020 @ 3:51 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. When your Mom passed, Craig said he didn’t know how Mr York would get along without her. Now here they are, together again.May God give you peace and comfort.
Tammie Bethel
October 20, 2020 @ 4:57 pm
So sorry for your loss praying for you all.
Bonnie Phillips
October 21, 2020 @ 8:35 pm
So sorry to hear of your loss.
He touched so many lives and was such a special person to so many. My heart and my prayers are with you and the family.
Stanley Taylor
October 20, 2020 @ 5:27 pm
Fred is in a better place and with Helen the love of his life
sorry for your loss
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
October 20, 2020 @ 8:09 pm
The York Family,
We all want to express our deepest sympathy on the passing of Fred. During this time may God encourage, give each of you peace, strength, and comfort daily. We will be praying daily for all of you as well. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Tim, Amber(Cozort), and Corby Redburn
Joyce james
October 20, 2020 @ 11:40 pm
I am SO sorry for your loss!! My love, thoughts and prayers are with you!
Joyce James
Terrie Honeycutt
October 21, 2020 @ 1:33 pm
Gary, Regina and family….
Jeff and I offer our sincere thoughts and prayers during this time of loss. May the wonderful memories you have your dad, (gpa, nlaw, etc) help to give you comfort as you go through all that one goes through, during and long after the loss of a loved one. Gary, I am know your dad was so proud of you and Regina. He loved you very much. I say this about you because you are who I know. I met your dad when I still worked at FV and, you were still there also, he told me. I am sure he told you this before but I just wanted to tell you also.
Know that my prayers are with you and your family and if you need anything please let me know.
With Love,
The Honeycutt Family
Marietta Kimbrough
October 21, 2020 @ 1:49 pm
York Family: We were so saddened to hear about the passing of Fred here at the West Plains Public Library. He was one of our most beloved patrons and always made us laugh. He meant a lot to the Staff here and made us feel like we did to him as well. The world is definitely a little less bright (and ornery) without Fred in it.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Debbie Russell
October 21, 2020 @ 2:08 pm
Linda, Gary and Amy, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. This is a great obituary. I can see your parents with mine playing cards, laughing, and having something SWEET to eat. I have such fond memories of them. May God bless you all and help you through this time.
Hassel and Alice Vandergriff
October 22, 2020 @ 6:06 am
We are so sorry to learn of Mr. York’s passing, and are remembering his family in prayer.
Tim BeN
October 23, 2020 @ 8:00 am
A man among men, a man that had an influence in my life. Because of his guidance and work ethic I will ever be grateful. Thank you sir, I will forever be grateful. RIP my friend.
Karen Harbison
October 23, 2020 @ 9:55 am
Gary & Regina,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers for all.
Karen Harbison
Ben, Lacie, Wyatt & Axel Madison
Sharon Collins
October 23, 2020 @ 11:22 am
I’m so sorry for your loss, I use to work at NHC n cleaned their room daily , mostly on wknds . Helen passed before I left there but fred was still doing ok , came across this as o was trying to reach you about glass sword and your new ways of seeing a movie . I love them both dearly n loved hearing fred tell his navy stories , now they are both together again ??? may they RIP
Donna Newberry
October 23, 2020 @ 3:33 pm
So sorry for loss of Fred so soon after losing Helen. Good friends to Mom and Dad.
Ted Crabtree
October 23, 2020 @ 8:07 pm
So sorry Gary, Fred was good man.