Herbert Richard York, 84, passed away peacefully at home on April 16, 2007, surrounded by his loving family.
Herb was born on June 15, 1922, at home in Arlington, Wash. He was the last of five children born to Herbert and Catherine York. He grew up and attended school in Arlington, graduating from Arlington High School in 1940.
Herb started his life-long career in the wood products industry as a very young boy working in the woods with his father, a team of horses and a skid. He logged, cleared land and built roads. Herb scaled logs at M&R Mill, the Portage Creek Mill and the Murphy Mill. He purchased and operated Enterprise Lumber Company, a cedar sawmill, in Oso for 25 years.
Herb was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed taking his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids out in the woods to hunt for morel mushrooms in the spring. He spent many years working with the youth of the community. He coached baseball from Little League to the Babe Ruth level. He was very involved with Boy Scouts of America and was a leader from the Cub Scouts through the Boy Scouts ranks.
He had a great passion for music. He learned to play the trumpet and was first chair in his high school band. He was well known locally for his beautiful bass voice, performing solos and participating in both male and mixed quartets.
The greatest love of his life was his family. He was very proud of each of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Herb was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Catherine York; brother, Delbert York; sisters, Gladys Gaga Martin, Effie Atkins, and Wilma Billie Falkner.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Violet; two daughters, Linda Taylor and Sharon (Rick) Hrdlicka; son, Herbert (Paula) York; grandchildren, Teri (Dave) Englert, Tracy (Brian) Bryant, Herbert Ray (Margaret) York, Jason Raimondi and Justin Taylor; great-grandchildren, Christopher Bryant, Taylor and Kennedy Englert, Felecia and Herbert Colton York.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Friday, April 20, 2007, at the Arlington Seventh Day Adventist Church, interment at the Arlington Cemetery immediately followed the services. A reception was held at the Arlington Heights Improvement Club after the graveside services.
A time of visitation was prior to the funeral, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Arlington Heights Fire Department.
Funeral services under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood, Wash.