Charles Alvin York

Colonel Charles Alvin York, U.S. Air Force (Retired), age 91 of Beavercreek Township, Ohio passed away Friday, September 10th, 2021 in Beavercreek. Charles (known as “Chuck” to his wife and “Charlie” to his friends) was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 28th, 1929 to Gillham A. York and Callie W. (James) York. Charles was a graduate from Central High School, Sioux City, in 1948, from Kemper Military School in Boonevile, Missouri in 1950, and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1952. He subsequently completed Graduate Program in European Development at Cambridge University, England from 1958 to 1959, completed a management program at Harvard University in 1962, and he recieved a Master of Science in Business Administration degree from George Washington University in 1964. In addition to his civilian education, Charles graduated from the Air Command and Staff College.

Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1952, Charles served his nation for over thirty years. He was assigned to positions across the globe- in Alabama, California, Ohio, Utah, Wyoming, and overseas in Belgium, England, the Philippines, and the Republic of Vietnam. In addition, he served temporary duty assignments from Europe to Australia. Highlights of his career included supporting operations for the SR-71 Blackbird in Southeast Asia and serving for five years as the Chairman of the U.S sub-committee for the F-16 fighter Multinational Logistics program, and from 1979 to 1981 as Director of Material Management and Vice Commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. For his final active-duty assignment, he served as Director of Transportation and Distribution at the then Air Force Logistics Command, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

While serving, Charles earned three Legion of Merits, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, three Air Force Commendation Medals, and several other U.S. and Vietnamese service awards. He was recognized multiple times for his professionalism by Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, South Vietnam, and within the United States by the Air Force Association and his peers.

After retirement, Charles continued to serve the Air Force as a contractor for Contel from 1982 to 1986, the Battelle Memorial Institute from 1986 to 1995 and Sumaria Systems from 1995 to 2013. Over his career, he was member of several organizations which included the Electronic Engineering Manufactures Group, and the Society of Logisitics Engineers.

Charles was married to his wife Ardeth for over 67 years, a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, notorious for his appetite for news, a fan of Mercedes-Benz automobiles, enjoyed watching University of Iowa Hawkeye sports, and frequently attended theater and musical events with his wife. He was particularly fond of big band music and the Lawrence Welk Show. Most importantly, he enjoyed being a grandfather and provided invaluable advice to his sons and grandchildren over the course of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, and one grandchild and is survived by his wife, four sons, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Charles will be interred this week at the Dayton National Cemetery after a private family memorial. Remembrances can be sent to the Air Force Aid Society or another charity of your choice.