Nelson “Dwan” York passed away January 1, 2011 at the age of 85 years. He was the son of Bert and Bess York and was born September 16, 1925 in Willow Springs, Missouri. He moved to Aberdeen at the age of 13. After graduating from Weatherwax High School - class of 1943, he joined the Marine Air Corp at age 17 and studied to become an electrician. He settled in Missouri after he was Honorably Discharged from the Marines. On December 29, 1946, he married Martha Lena Alford of Springfield, Missouri, and they had five children. They were married for 64 years at the time of his death.
Nelson worked for the Missouri railroad, The Ace Electric Company in Hoquiam, Aberdeen Electric, and the Weyerhaeuser pulp mill in Cosmopolis. He retired in 1985 as the Weyerhaeuser Electrical Department Supervisor, with 28 years of service.
He is survived by: Sisters – Betty (Jim) Ellis of Central Park, and Shirley (Jim) Kendall of AZ City, Arizona; Children - Jerry York of Aberdeen, Bev Tafoya of Olympia, and Cal (Marie) York of Grapeview; Daughter-in-law - Jill York of Kennewick; Grandchildren - Marc Tafoya, Brian York, Ashley York, and Michaela York, and Great-granddaughter - Morgan Tafoya. His wife Lena, survives in their Cosmopolis home where they have resided for the past 42 years. He was preceded in death by sons Denny and Allan Dwan York.
The family would like to extend a special "Thank-you" to: Dr. Philip Gibbs and staff, the Grays Harbor Community Hospital staff, nurses and aides at Pacific Care and Rehab Center, and Pastor Adair Krack of First Baptist Church.
A grave site service will be held for family and friends at the Cosmopolis Forest Hill Cemetery on Friday, January 7th, at 3 PM. A celebration of his life will follow the next day, Saturday, January 8th, at 1 PM, First Baptist Church, 729 Eklund Avenue, Hoquiam, WA. A reception will follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made to the First Baptist Church, Hoquiam, Washington, 98550.
A card of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are through Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
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