Charley Dee York

Charley Dee York, 93, of Bolivar, was born April 5th, 1931, to Clarence and Elizabeth York in rural Cedar County, Missouri. He departed this life surrounded by his family Friday evening October 11, 2024, at Parkview Healthcare Facility after a brief illness. After graduating from Stockton High School Charley served in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1955. He served on the USS Trathum Destroyer DD530 and the Grand Canyon Destroyer ADD28 as a Gunner’s Mate Second Class. While home on leave, Charley married Mamie Ruth Gunn on June 4, 1951. They were married 43 years, raising their three children Randy Dee, Roger Lee, and Lori Ann in Fair Play, Missouri. Following his time in the Navy, Charley worked at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft, farmed, ran the MFA gas station, worked as a meat cutter for Clarks in Stockton, managed the Fair Play MFA, and sold antiques with Everett Griffin which they bought from coast to coast. Charley and Mamie purchased the meat processing plant in Humansville in 1973. The business later became the family business with son, Roger joining. The business was named York’s Meat Processing. Charley and Roger were chosen to be Grand Marshals of the 2019 Fall Festival Parade for having the oldest established business in Humansville. Charley retired at the age of 89 after being in business for 47 years. The business was sold October 29, 2020. Charley lived his life by the Golden Rule. He was first and foremost a family man. After losing their mother at age 10, he and his brother, Darrell and sisters, Agnes, Mary Ellen and Peggy clung together tightly to care for one another. He was a natural caretaker, which was uncommon for a man of his generation. Charley cared for his wife as her health failed as well as his mother-in-law after Mamie’s death. Charley was a hard-working, generous man who was always willing to lend a dollar or a helping hand to anyone in need. He enjoyed country music, dancing, sports, hunting quail, gardening, fishing, and fish frys. He liked to laugh and enjoyed sharing a good story or joke. He liked his homemade ice cream and looked forward to sharing it at the yearly church ice cream social. Charley’s favorite role in life was being a PaPa. He loved children and thoroughly enjoyed time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Charley was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mamie Ruth; infant grandson, Jansen Roberts; brother, Darrel Lee; sisters, Agnes and Mary Ellen. Charley is survived by his children: Randy and Debbie York, Roger and Cindi York, Lori and Ronnie Roberts. Grandchildren: Tyler and Catherine York, Trevor and Erin York, Lacey and Dean Kinzer, Joshua Garrison, Tanner and Kirsten Roberts, Mekenzie and Austin Underwood, and Shelby and Tyler Whiteis. Great grandchildren: Parker, Gracie, Jackson, and Jordan York, Colson Underwood, Vada Kinzer and Charlie Ann Whiteis. Sister, Peggy Jones; Sister-in-law, Jackie York; along with many nieces and nephews. A visitation will take place from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Bolivar First Christian Church. Burial will follow at Stockton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions can be made to CMH Hospice or to Bolivar First Christian Church.

Charley Dee York

April 5, 1931 - October 11, 2024