Benjamin York

Benjamin Franklin York, age 90, went home to be with the Lord on the first day of Spring, March 20, 2015. Frank was born October 2, 1924 to Charles Benjamin York and Gracie (Dillard Harp) York in Little Chief, Oklahoma. He started school in Ralston, Oklahoma in 1929 and attended Church at old Woodland School in the Sunny Slope area east of Ralston. He married his wife, Lucille Elsberry of Fairfax, Oklahoma on December 16, 1950 at the Christian Church Parsonage in Pawnee, Oklahoma.

Frank was working as a pipefitter when neighbors and friends selected him to defend them. He joined the 32nd Infantry U.S. Army division on July 12, 1943 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and served in the World War II Pacific Theater. He was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Bronze Star with Two Stars, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, Army Combat Infantry Badge, Army Occupation Medal and Honorary Service Pen. He was honorably discharged on January 5, 1946.

Frank came home to live in Shidler, Oklahoma where he went to work. He worked for a time with Phillips Petroleum and then he and his father had a construction company serving the Shidler area. Frank served as Post Commander of the VFW in both Shidler and Fairfax. In 1969 Frank was severely injured in an industrial accident which through his strength and determination he survived. It was after his recovery Frank went to work for Evans and Associates and retired from there. Frank and Lucille lived and raised their family in Shidler and later moved to Fairfax where they were active with their family and community. The last few years they made their home in Oklahoma City with their daughter Jean.

Frank was a lifetime St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved working in his garden where his beautiful flowers were enjoyed by all. He enjoyed keeping up with his kids and grandkids sports and numerous activities and was proud to share multiple stories.

Frank was preceded in death by his father and mother; one brother, Ray; four sisters, Cleda, Gracie, Maxine and Nona; one son, Larry; and great granddaughter, Cassie.

Frank is survived by his wife, Lucille, of Oklahoma City; three sons, Kenny York and wife Maria, of Ponca City; Darrin York and wife Caryn, of Ponca City, and Dean York and wife Debbie, of Oklahoma City; two daughters, Linda Kaiser and husband John, of Owasso and Jean York of Oklahoma City; one daughter-in-law Ginger Gray, of Shidler; one sister, Charlene Colburn of Arkansas City, Kansas; and one brother, Bob York and wife Janet, of Augusta, Georgia.

Frank was affectionately known as "Papa Bean" to his seven grandchildren; Wendy Williams and husband Norris, Harry York and wife Amber, Terry York, Ryan York and wife Christina, Cheryl Stubblefield and husband Stacy, Sean York and wife Sunnie, and Nathan York; six great grandchildren; Corey Hurd and wife Amber, Shaely Williams, Kenzie York, Addie York, Syrena, Shayla and Jaxon Stubblefield, and Chloe and Harper York; two great great grandchildren, Derrin and Huck; other extended family, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 26, 2015 at the First Christian Church in Fairfax with former Pastor George Weston presiding. Interment will follow in the Fairfax Cemetery under the direction of the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home.

Casket bearers are grandsons, Harry York, Terry York, Ryan York, Sean York, Nathan York and Corey Hurd. Honorary casket bearers are Derek Elsberry, Bill Willaford, Stacy Stubblefield and Norris Williams.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Frank York to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301

Visitation

HunsakerWooten Funeral Home Chapel
201 N. 4th Street
Fairfax, OK  74637
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
8:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

the Fairfax First Christian Church
North 4th Street
Fairfax, Oklahoma, OK  74637
Thursday, March 26, 2015
2 p.m.

Cemetery

Fairfax Cemetery
600 S. 8th Street
Fairfax, OK  74637

Memorial Contributions

P.O. Box 14301
Cincinnati, OH  45250-0301