Ralph Dobbins York

Words from a grateful son: My father Ralph D. York, was reared by parents Thomas R. and Beulah G. York, two parents that knew the measure of a man was his word and diligent pursuit of excellence. My father’s life every day, to the last day, was a reflection of these ideals. He is survived by his daughter, Piettia H. York; his son, Peran C. York (Janice); and one brother, Redell B. York, who has been kind enough to share with me who my father was as a youth. My father took the example of a good work ethic that his father instilled in him. He began carrying a paper route as a young boy in the community of Woodbine. This paper route required him to rise at 3 a.m. and walking many miles sometimes in the winter at a time when people still shoveled coal in furnaces to heat their homes. As a young teenager he used his earnings to take flying lessons. Upon learning to fly, he took various friends and family members out to share in his adventures, including a young man that threatened to jump out as he reached the tree tops which forced our father to land in a nearby field. This young man later became a preacher! A frequent passenger of my teenage father was his younger brother, Redell. They took many flights over the city of Nashville including the capital building. One such trip involved his younger brother to take over the stick and land the plane so that he could take a nap which caused a moment of panic. My father even had a second job while in the Navy. This job was flying a commuter twin engine small aircraft up and down the west coast. He, at some point, purchased a PT-19 Fairchild for $180 from a Navy buddy that needed to by an engagement ring. After serving four years in the US Navy he enrolled at Peabody College later transferring to UT Knoxville where he earned his undergraduate degree and then earning his law degree. In 1963 my father was offered a staff attorney position with the US Department of Labor, Office of The Regional Attorney, Nashville where he was later appointed and retired as the Associate Regional Solicitor. Ralph D. York was a true and loyal American that served his country and its citizens his entire adult life. He was a good and loyal husband to our mother Ruth H. York and a father that led by example. We will miss him for as many days as we have left to live. Visitation will take place at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home on Saturday, March 18, 2017, from three to seven o’clock and again on Sunday, March 19, 2017, from noon to one o’clock, followed by funeral service at one o’clock.