Oliver Leslie York, 101, of Kelso, Tennessee was called home on January 15. On January 1, 1924, he was born to the late James Abner York and Mamie Mullens York. Oliver was married to Margaret June Payne York until her death. He grew up on Sand Mountain, in Alabama, and was one of 7 boys. At age 19 he enlisted in the Navy. Oliver was stationed aboard the USS Zeilin II in the Pacific during WWII and was a survivor of a Japanese suicide attack. He later married June Payne, and had 4 children. They settled in Sequatchie, Tennessee, and later moved to Jasper. Oliver worked for Combustion Engineering, which manufactured nuclear steam supply power systems, as a boiler maker. He enjoyed farming and raising cattle. Oliver retired from Combustion Engineering at the age of 62. After retiring from Combustion, Oliver started a lawn mowing business and continued to work at this until the age of 82. Oliver then quit his lawn mowing business in order to care for his ailing wife whom he was married to for 65 years. After the death of his wife, he moved to Okeechobee, Florida to live full time until he was 96 years old. He resided with his daughter Kathy Yeoman, in Fayetteville, Tennessee until his passing.
Oliver is preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers, Hobert York, L. C. York, Gilford York, Alfred York, Alvin York, and Melvin York.
Left to cherish his memories are his son, Richard Leslie (Diann) York; daughters, Meshon (Mike) Dugan, Kathy (Randall) Yeoman, Margee (Scott) Lee; grandchildren, Richard Leslie (Monica) York, II, Shona Thurston, Michele (David) Johnson, Laura (Jonathon) Wright, Elizabeth (Eric) Droke, Carla (Jeremy) Lane, Asa (Vanessa) Lee, Jonathan Yeoman, Cyrus (Rebecca) Lee; 13, great grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other family members and special friends.
The family will hold visitation on Saturday, January 18, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday, January 19, from Noon to 2 p.m. at Tate Funeral Home in Jasper.
Funeral services are on Sunday, January 19, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Tate Funeral Home in Jasper with Chaplain Darrel Williams and Minister Randall Yeoman officiating.
Oliver will be laid to rest on Sunday, January 19, at Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens in Jasper immediately following the funeral service. Pallbearers are Jonathon Wright, Asa Lee, Cyrus Lee, Jonathan Yeoman, Eric Droke and Lex Droke.
Sequatchie Valley Honor Guard will present Military Honors at Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Tate Funeral Home, LLC, 950 Mel Dixon Lane, Jasper, Tennessee (423) 942-9500. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.tatefh.com.
The Marion Tribune – January 23, 2025
