Chester James York

Chester James York, 87, died in Fort Smith, Arkansas on December 13, 2013. He was currently residing in Waldron, Arkansas but has previously lived in Radford, Virginia and Fort Worth, Texas. Chester was born in Baxter Springs, Kansas to Chauncie Joshua and Mabel Ida (Foley) York on September 12, 1926. He was the fifth of eight children in a large Irish Catholic family.

In 1944 he was drafted into the Army to serve in World War II ( as did his four brothers). He was separated from the Army in 1946 after serving in Europe (primarily in Germany).

He married Fay Wynnell Hitchcock on February 23,1949. They spent sixty-four years and nine and a half months together-early years were spent traveling with the Rock Island Railroad, attending various universities, then in their middle years working in computers with Hercules Munitions, and finishing out a work life as a Veterans' Officer in Scott County , Arkansas. Always he worked and cared for his family.

All along the way, he was the most attentive and kind husband. As a daddy he had no peer. He was an extraordinary papa and great-papa. We will never again hear, "Love You Much, Baby Doll". From helping with Algebra, walking through the Virginia woods or teaching a great grandson to hammer nails into a chunk of wood, he did it with love, patience, and humor.

Daddy, we will miss you and love you forever.

He leaves to cherish his memory, Wynnell, his wife; his daughters Jackie Edmonds and Rohna York (Jeff Koester), beloved grand-daughters Whitney Stapleton (Wesley) and Catherine Edmonds and adored great grands, Jonathan, Sarah, Aiden, Cameron, and Ella. He is also survived by his sister Anna Rita Delmont and brother Eugene York as well as Ernest Edmonds father of his loved granddaughters.

Love you much, Daddy!!

Chester's Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at the St. Jude Catholic Church in Waldron, Arkansas with Father Ravi Gudipalli officiating. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Chester's visitation will be Monday, December 16, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas where Chester's family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.