David Lee York

Funeral services for David Lee York, 64, of Douglas, Wyoming will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, May 28, 2015 at the McKibben Cafeteria on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas with Father Bill Hill of the Saint James Catholic Church in Douglas officiating. Inurnment will be in the Douglas Park Cemetery.

On Sunday, May 17, 2015 at his home on the York Ranch near Douglas, David died of a heart attack.

David York was born January 22, 1951 in the Converse County Hospital in Douglas to parents Donald Lee and Donna Louise (Browning) York.

David attended schools in Douglas and graduated high school, and then attended Casper College in Casper, Wyoming. He loved and participated in football, wrestling, and high school and college rodeo, especially enjoying team roping.

His first place of employment was the Douglas Police Department. He was the youngest officer that had ever been hired by the police department. Because of his age, he was prohibited from going into bars to do bar checks. After leaving the police department, he worked for the Sheriff's Office in Douglas and Glenrock.

One of David's favorite childhood pastimes was building elaborate roads in the dirt on reviewing his work resume', he never lost his passion for construction. His work history also included ranch work, road construction, operating heavy equipment, designing and building a golf course, laying pipelines, and keeping the ranch roads in top notch shape (which recently earned him the ranch nickname of "Mr. Dirt"). One of the highlights while doing ranch work was shoeing horses for John Wayne and Lee Marvin.

He drafted where pipelines were located in Hobbs, New Mexico and the oil companies continue to use there drafts today. He was also known for the beautification and reclamation along completed pipelines and roadways. He ended his career as a very respected foreman and inspector for pipelines. He was a stickler about safety and the quality of the job. He thrived on new experiences and challenges and meeting new people. He left his mark in Wyoming, Colorado, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

David retired in the spring of 2014. He longed to be on the ranch he loved, so he moved back to the York Ranch east of Douglas.

David's circle of life experiences and friends was as wide spread as his heart. No one was a stranger to him for long. He was committed to his friends and family. He was compassionate and generous when it came to helping people. He liked to reminiscence about his childhood experiences and his wild and crazy younger years. He enjoyed practical jokes and life in general. He was proud of his accomplishments and the respect he had earned from many.

David you will be missed by many and forgotten by few. May you rest in peace and your heart be quiet.

David is survived by his mother, Donna York; brother, Jeff York; adopted brother, Al Miller all of Douglas; sisters, Connie (Clyde "Butch") Bower, Margie Dowler both of Casper, Sherrie (Charles) Newton of Worland, Wyoming, and Linda (Brace) Rhamy of Douglas; uncle and aunt, Jim and Marilyn Fitzhugh of Douglas; many niece and nephews; and many friends.

David was preceded in death by his father, Donald, on August 6, 2004; grandparents, John and Verna York and Dana and Edith Browning; brothers-in-law, John Santistevan and J.C. Dowler; uncles and aunts, Earl and Dorthy York and Lester and Grace Wintermote; cousins; and friends.

A reception will be held after the graveside services at the Samuel Mares American Legion Post #8 in Douglas.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will of his many friends.

A memorial to the Douglas High School Rodeo Club in care of Tara Davidson, 1047 Durango Drive, Douglas, Wyoming 82633; to the Douglas Senior Citizens' Center, P.O. Box 192, Douglas, Wyoming 82633; or charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.

The Gorman Funeral Homes - Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com

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