Frank Merton York

Frank Merton York, of Olathe, KS, passed on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Olathe Medical Center. He was 94 years old. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, friend, and boss, and was cherished by everyone he met.

Born the seventh of eight children in Baldwin, KS, Frank was the youngest son of Oscar York and Elizabeth (Aberle). He was born July 1, 1926, and grew up through the Great Depression on his father’s farm.

Frank often loved to recount the story of how he met and courted his beloved wife, Betty, to whom he was married for 68 years. In December 1943, both worked at the Lawrence, KS, movie theatre; he as a projectionist, she as a cashier. He would giggle as he admitted that he wolf-whistled at her as she walked by. Upon leaving work later that night, he was surprised to find her sitting on his motorcycle outside, telling him she wanted a ride. Two months later, on Feb. 6, 1944, they were married. Their marriage certificate lists her age as 19 (true) and his as 20 (a lie). Frank was a bit of a joker; he was only 17 when they met, but he lied in order to have a chance with her. When she asked why he wasn’t off at war, he told her he was “deferred for farming.”

Of course, Frank did later enlist in the Army once he turned 18. His son, Franklin Verne, was born December 1944, while he was away at basic training. Frank was later sent to the war in the Pacific under General MacArthur. His marksmanship was so impressive that he was made a point man for his platoon; in training, he had “shot a possible.” He reached the rank of Sergeant before the war ended in 1945 and he was subsequently discharged in 1946.

After the war, Frank attended a few semesters of college on the G.I. Bill. His second child, daughter Johnnie Jean, was born January 1948. Frank worked as an engineer for Boeing Corp. and many other companies around the U.S. His family lived in Washington, Idaho, and Texas, to name a few states. His trade even took him to the Netherlands for a couple years, when he worked for Fluor.

Upon return from Europe in 1972, Frank accepted the position of Superintendent of Public Works for the City of Overland Park, KS. He remained in that job for 21 years until his retirement in 1993. Frank was deeply loved by his employees, who respected his love of the job, devotion to family, and sincere appreciation for his men. He started a Snow Rodeo, a friendly competition in which the drivers could compete with their equipment and hone their skills. The tradition continues to this day.

After retirement, Frank and his wife found great joy in spoiling their grandchildren, traveling the country in their RV, and shopping for deals. As Betty’s health failed more often, Frank tirelessly took care of her. She passed on in 2012.

Frank was preceded in death by his aforementioned cherished wife, Betty Jean (Garrison) York; his parents, Oscar and Elizabeth York; brothers James York, Fred York, and Raymond York; sisters Lucille Paden and Mildred Cooper; and brothers-in-law Glen Paden, Jimmy Cooper, Fred Cooper and Roy Abbett.

He was survived by two sisters, Alita Cooper and Frances Abbett; his son Franklin and wife Barbara, of Nashville, TN; daughter Johnnie and husband Keith, of Lee’s Summit, MO. He also left behind his grandchildren Beth and her husband Todd, of Nashville, TN; Kate, of Nashville, TN; Ethan and wife Shirley, of Tuscaloosa, AL; Lauren, of Overland Park, KS; Karen and husband Daniel, of Chattanooga, TN; and Heather, of Nashville, TN. His great-grandchildren Nathan, Alyssa, Alexander, Atticus, Amadeus, Jack , Zoe, Max and Tia will miss him as well.

Frank was entombed on May 12, 2021, at 1:00 pm. He will be memorialized at a Celebration of Life for him and his son-in-law Keith (who passed away May 29) on June 27, 2021 at 1 pm, at Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport, in the EAA Chapter 91 hangar . There will be a missing man flyover promptly at 1:30 pm. Dress is casual.