Henry Forrest York
Henry Forrest York, age 92, passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. He was born on Friday, January 4, 1924 in his grandparents home north of Shields, Kansas. He was the second of three children born to Henry Herman and Alberta Olive Brown York.
He attended country school at Fairview Public School #38 in Gove County, Kansas north of Healy. He moved in with his grandparents Ford Albert and Winnie Olive Maxwell Brown in Healy to attend high school where he graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1942.
He attended Kansas State University briefly prior to his enlistment in the Navel Air Force. He served as a Naval Air Force cadet from September of 1943 until October of 1945 when he was discharged following the end of World War II.
Following his military service he returned to the family farm north of Healy where he continued farming with his father and brother, Dwight.
On December 22, 1946 Forrest married Gladys Marie Watt in her parents home north of Healy. They were the parents of Forrest Michael, Mary Cathleen, Curtis LeRoy and Kenneth Wayne. Gladys passed away on April 25, 1985.
On November 24, 1987 he married Pamela Faye Jennison and helped rear her sons Paul Andrew and Neil Siegrist Wilson.
Forrest fathered boys in excess of 50 solid years including six exchange students and housing Norman Oscar Brown as he completed his senior year in High School at Healy after his family moved from the community. Norman always held a very special place in Forrest’s heart.
Forrest served as past president of the Healy Rural High School board and then the unified board of USD #468, Healy Cooperative Elevator board, and charter member and past president of Lane County Feeders.
Following their father’s death in 1957, Forrest and his brother, Dwight, managed the farming and ranching operation as York Brothers including their sons over the years.
Although he always preferred being where he could see his cattle and land while listening to KXXX, he did enjoy brief travel adventures especially if children, grandchildren or great grandchildren were at the destination! The Panama Canal, cruising along the Volga River in Russia, the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls were favorites.
Survivors include his wife, Pamela Faye Jennison of Healy, Kansas, Son, Mike and Jan York of Healy, Kansas and their children Jessica & Samuel Franco and grandson Torren of Santa Teresa, New Mexico, Samantha & Barry Sands and grandchildren Tre, Issaiah, Jayce, Airess and Auzten of Humble, Texas, Son, Curtis and Mary York of Healy, Kansas and their children, Maranda and Randall Cersovsky and grandchildren Landon and Ana of Scott City, Kansas, Colton York of Dighton, Kansas, Son, Kenneth and Janet York of Healy, Kansas, and daughter Mariah York of Healy, Kansas, Step Son, Paul and Reagan Wilson and their children Genesis and Jericho of Stratford, Oklahoma, Step Son, Neil Wilson of Healy, Kansas, One Sister, Maxine Wilson of Dighton, Kansas, One Brother, Dwight & Mary York of Oakley, Kansas, One Step Brother, Rex & Margaret Wilson of Marion, Kansas and One Step Sister, Amy Willis of Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, First Wife – Gladys, One Daughter – Cathy Smith and his first grandson William Vernie Smith, both passed away in February of 1970 due to complications during childbirth, Two Step Brothers, Dean Wilson, Keith Wilson and Two Step Sisters, Delila Speer and Janie Johnston.
Visitation is scheduled for Monday, February 29, 2016 from 2-8 p.m. and Tuesday, March 1, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. At Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Services will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Healy United Methodist Church in Healy with the Rev. Bud Tuxhorn presiding.
Interment will be in the Healy Cemetery in Healy, Kansas.
Memorials may be given to the Healy United Methodist Church Window Fund in Healy, Kansas in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.
