Leonard Gene York, 58, of Tifton passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2002, at his residence. His funeral service was held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 2002, at New River Baptist Church in Tifton with the Rev. Larry Layfield officiating. Mr. York was laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Powell Gaines, Don Pirkle, Wayne Morrow, Ray Goodman, J. H. White, Lynwood Denham, Perry Taylor, Gene Bannister and Charles Newell served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were the deacons of New Rive Baptist Church in Tifton, Robert Hammond, Mack Sirmans, Van Dow, Bobby Payne, Larry Hobbs, Mark York, Edward Gibbs, Freddy Walker, Tommy Stone, Danny York and Junior Lupo.
Born May 10, 1944, in Tift County, Mr. York was the son of the late Felix Homer York and Mary Elizabeth Morrow York. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Dan York. A resident of Tift County all of his life, Mr. York was a 1962 graduate of Tift County High School. He was a former employee of Prince Chevrolet and Keenan Auto Parks in Tifton, but his great love of the outdoors led him to raising and selling produce and as a hunting guide at Ochlocknee Hunting Plantation. He was a member of New River Baptist Church in Tifton.
Mr. York was a very loving husband, father and grandfather. He always had a smile and joke for everyone. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a past member of the Tifton Jaycees and a former member of the school board at Tiftarea Academy. He was also a member of the Tifton Fishing Club.
Mr. York is survived by his devoted wife of 38 years, Branda Kennedy York of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, Grant and Janice York of Tifton; one daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Michael Bradshaw of Tifton; a special sister and brother-in-law, Ora and Joe Flynn; a very special sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Wanda and Powell Gaines; a sister-in-law, Clarice York; several aunts and uncles; and five grandchildren, Brittany York, Katy York, Hunter Pilkinton, Drew Pilkinton and Alexis Pilkinton. Heaven has a special angel, our "PaPa".