John Allen York

August 25, 1937 - March 15, 2022

John Allen York, 84, of Oktaha, Oklahoma passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2022. He was born August 25, 1937 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma to Roscoe Allen and Bida Ellen (Reinhardt) York. He attended public schools and graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1955. John furthered his education at OSU where he received his bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1960. He left Oklahoma to work as a ranch manager for Bud Adams Ranches in Houston, Texas until 1962. He then made his way back home to Oklahoma where he continued his passion of ranching and opened a cowboy supply store in Oktaha until 1968. John married his best friend and the love of his life, Glenda Karen Miller on July 15, 1967 in Hitchita, Oklahoma. They shared more than 50 years of life, marriage and making memories together until Karen passed away on November 11, 2018. John was a high school science teacher for many years at Oktaha School and retired in 1999. Science and chemistry experiments, learning rock types, pop quizzes, and knowing how to “swing a paddle” are some of the fond memories of his many students he taught over the years. He enjoyed many hobbies, from woodworking, leatherwork, and working crossword puzzles to doing genealogy and studying history. John was a member of the Oktaha Historical Society and served on the Oktaha Volunteer Fire Department from 1962 to 2018. He was also a mason beginning in 1962. John will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe and Bida York; wife, Karen York; sister, Mary Burgin; and his mother-in-law, Ida Miller. John is survived by his sons, Allen (April) York of Oktaha, Aubrey (Kate) York of Fayetteville, AR; grandchildren, Ashton York of Fayetteville, Abby York of Oktaha, Davis York and James York, both of Fayetteville; sisters, Gladys (Steve) Platner of Tulsa, Kathy Spears of Muskogee; brothers and sisters-in-law, Kaye Miller of Amarillo, TX, Tim (Margaret) Miller of Hitchita, OK, Vaughn (Dena) Miller of Checotah; nieces and nephews, Gaye (John) Pfeifer, Jodi (David) Jackson, Bret (Paige) Burgin, Ellen (John) Byers, Laura (Gonzalo) Guillen, Danny (Candi) Spears, Jennifer Spears, Cindy Miller, Justin (Cory) Miller, Shellie (Bron) Howard, David (Ann) Miller, Spencer Miller and Colin Miller; along with other family members and friends. John’s life will be celebrated at 1PM, Saturday, April 2, 2022 at Oktaha First Community Church with Rev. Jeff Ward officiating. Interment will follow at Oktaha Cemetery. Funeral services are under the direction of Cornerstone Funeral Home 1830 N York St Muskogee, 74403. Condolences can be made to the family at www.cornerstoneofmuskogee.com.