Derral
B. York was born in Crescent, Oklahoma on October 2, 1931 to
Zelma and Cleo York. He attended school until the age of 14 when
he left home to work in the rodeo and later in the oil fields. He
served as a train engineer in the Army during the Korean War, receiving
honors. Upon return, he attended Northwestern State College in Alva,
Oklahoma and obtained a degree in physics. He went on to become a
renowned physicist with IBM for over 35 years. During his time at
IBM, he contributed to many areas of engineering and surface science,
and was involved in the design of technology used by the NASA space
program. He later retired in coastal Sneads Ferry, North Carolina
before returning to Edmond, Oklahoma. He was a loving husband and
father, a profound thinker with a love for the outdoors, and an
inspirational figure.
He is survived by his loving family, wife Janet York of 42 years;
daughter Sheryl Guilbault and husband Daniel; son Darrin York; four
grandchildren Erik, Thea, Ayden and Iain. He is also survived by
brother Dwight York; two sisters, Jeri Fisher and Kathy Highfill and
husband Alvin; sisters-in-law Sara Bonestell and Frances Hartnett and
and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
He will be forever remembered, dearly loved,
and deeply missed. Dad, we
are so very grateful to have had you in our lives. God bless you.
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