Gene York

Gene Arthur York was born on July 21, 1938 in Toppenish, WA to Helen (Lienkaemper, York) Stout. Gene was the second eldest of 20 siblings, his elder brother Glen and him sharing 3 siblings on their mother’s side, and another 15 on their father’s side. While his siblings are many and spread across the country, and some have already passed on, they always remember him with much fondness and love. When Gene was a child, he was quite a jokester and especially liked to pick on his younger brother David. He would place one hand on David’s head, then hit it with his other hand. When scolded by his parents about it he would exclaim, “What? I just hit my own hand!” Boys being boys, Glen would try to protect David, but one time Gene got in a lucky sucker punch that left Glen with a chipped tooth. His sister Heather also experienced this trick of his and often plotted (but failed to execute) her revenge. She does recall how Gene and all her brothers were partial to and sought to protect their sweet baby sister Susan, while Heather more often experienced their wrath. It could be because she tended to tell on them all the time to their parents! Gene met and married the love of his life, Darlene, in 1976. They traveled and experienced life together until her passing in May of 2022, living in beautiful places such as Ellensburg and Leavenworth, WA, finally settling in Yakima for their retirement years, much to the delight of their family already residing in Yakima! The couple traveled in an RV and volunteered with Sowers Ministry for a season helping to build churches. Gene loved to fly and after he got his pilot’s license, he took his parents Reese and Helen and his nephew David up flying. He may have failed to ask permission from David’s parents prior to taking him on this grand adventure, but it is one memory David will never forget! Many of Gene’s nieces and nephews will remember when he pulled into family reunion camping trips with what seemed like a palace on wheels compared to their big orange tent and the other modest camp trailers. He and Darlene may have been the original “glampers!” Gene loved to garden, always maintained a pristine and beautiful yard, and even grafted trees to grow different types of fruits. When it came time to celebrate Reese and Helen’s 50th wedding anniversary, all 5 of the kids came together to honor their parents. This occasion certainly warranted a family photo! What should have been a simple task became just a little more complicated because Gene could not stop tickling his little sister Susan! Ultimately, the photographer had to separate the two to capture an appropriate family photo! Gene and Darlene both were known to be very hospitable. On many occasions, he all but begged his sister Heather to come and stay with them on their trips to Yakima and she experienced and appreciated such wonderful hospitality with her brother. While he may have had a reputation for holding his finances close, he possessed a generosity of spirit that was unparalleled. After a stroke limited his mobility, Gene and Darlene moved to Living Care Retirement Community where they would spend their remaining years together. Gene loved to sing and regularly participated in musical opportunities, sang specials, and participated in choirs at church and later at Living Care. He would tell his family that he was surprised to still be called on to sing, even after moving into an assisted living setting. His voice was a gift and appreciated by many. That little brother Gene loved to torture as a child became a faithful companion and friend to him in his retirement years, especially after he lost the ability to drive. David came to know his brother Gene as a gentle and kind man and these years were precious to both. Gene’s faith was a guiding light throughout his life, and he didn’t shy away from conversations about Jesus. He faithfully attended and participated in weekly church services and Bible studies, even after he lost the ability to drive. All who knew him loved him. All who loved him will miss him. Gene left us unexpectedly on Sept. 10th, 2023. He still had a zeal for life but also an ache in his heart for his dear wife, Darlene, who had gone on to heaven before him. We believe the Lord compassionately called him home a little early to be free of the bonds of his body and reunited with loved ones who went before him. Our family would like to honor and thank Gene’s bonus family, Darlene’s children and grandchildren, for their faithful love and kindness to Gene over the years. We’d also like to mention and honor his many siblings on the York side of his family that will not likely be able to join us at his celebration of life. He loved you dearly. Lastly, thank you to the staff at Living Care (now the Terraces at Summitview) for your loving care of our brother, uncle and friend. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tue. Oct. 10th at 11:00 am at Valley Hills Funeral Home, 2600 Business Lane, Yakima, WA 98901. Reception to follow at West Valley Church, 7109 W. Nob Hill Blvd. Condolences to the family can be shared at www.valleyhillsfh.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gene’s memory to the Yakima Union Gospel Mission at https://yugm.org/ To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gene York, please visit our flower store.