Christopher York

CHRISTOPHER YORK IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Christopher Aaron York, 31, of Idaho Falls, passed away April 25, 2009, at his home after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Chris was born March 1, 1978, in Moscow, Idaho, to William Aaron York and Rebecca June White York. He attended elementary schools in Rigby and Mountain Home, Idaho. He continued his education in Mountain Home and graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1996. During high school, he played on the football team and enjoyed spending time with his friends. At the age of 16, Chris was diagnosed with his first brain tumor. He underwent surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy for 13 months before he went into remission. During his treatments, he continued to play basketball and football with his friends and served as an assistant to the high school football team. To show their support for Chris, his teammates and friends shaved their heads as he underwent chemotherapy. He maintained a positive attitude and never complained throughout all of his treatments. During his illness, he attended Camp Rainbow Gold in Sun Valley, Idaho, for children with cancer and later became a counselor at the camp. After graduating from high school, Chris attended Boise State University for one year. He was then called to serve an LDS mission in the Virginia Richmond Mission from 1997-1999. Upon returning home he enrolled at Ricks College. He graduated with an Associates Degree in Health Science from Brigham Young University- Idaho in April 2002. He continued on to earn a Bachelors Degree in Horticulture with an emphasis in Landscape Design in December, 2005. Chris always joked that he crammed a four year degree into six years! After graduation, Chris was employed at the Idaho Falls Temple maintaining the grounds. While attending BYU-Idaho, Chris met Jennifer Marie Strobel. They were married on July 23, 2004, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for time and all eternity. Chris was a loving and devoted husband to Jennifer. Their daughter, Sadie Elizabeth, was born February 16, 2009. Chris wanted nothing more in life than to be a father and that dream was realized with the birth of their little miracle. Chris loved to cuddle with and hold his little girl. Chris loved hunting, fishing, and being outdoors. He was a very talented artist and loved making homemade cards for people. He was a friend to all and was genuinely concerned for others' well being. Chris always said ‘hi’ and waved to everyone he met. He always had a smile on his face and loved to make people laugh. He was sensitive to others' needs and enjoyed serving those around him. Chris was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. Chris was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings. He served as the Elders Quorum President in his BYU-Idaho ward and in his current ward in Idaho Falls. He touched many people's lives through his faithful service. He had a strong testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ and of the gospel. He frequently shared his testimony through his words and example. Chris was re-diagnosed with a brain tumor in September, 2007. He again underwent surgery, radiation, and 16 months of chemotherapy. Even as Chris' health declined, he remained optimistic until the end. He never complained about the trials he had to endure. Chris was lovingly cared for by his wife Jennifer throughout his illness. Chris is survived by the loves of his life, his wife Jennifer and his daughter Sadie. He is also survived by his parents, Bill and Kendra York of Ogden, Utah, and Ed and June Hall of Kona, Hawaii; siblings, Stephanie (Darrin) Johnson of Clinton, Utah; Becky (Dustin) McKay of Logan, Utah; Leilani (Scott) Richards of Boise, Idaho; Cheilah (Adam) Bentley of Logan, Utah; Brenon York, currently serving an LDS mission in Chile; Wendy York of Logan, Utah; and Eddie and Elliot Hall of Kona, Hawaii; his grandma, Barbara York of Arco, Idaho; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert Aaron York, LeRoy Sterling White and Rebecca Opal White; and siblings Katherine, Spencer, Derek, and David York. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 2009. at the Taylor Mountain LDS Stake Center, 260 Castlerock Lane, Idaho Falls, with Bishop Scott Smith of the Idaho Falls Rose Park Ward officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and Thursday from 1 to 1:45 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. Chris left an impact on all who met him and will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Condolences received online: Ray Ellenberger Bill, My thoughts are with you and your family. Treasure the memories. Ray Carla Sorrell carla.sorrell@ut.usda.gov Bill and family. I want to extend my condolences to you. I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. You are a stong family and I know you will find a way to get through this. God will take excellent care of your loved one, that you can be assured of. Sincerely, Larry & Carla Sorrell Frisby Family angfrisby@q.com We send you our love and prayers at your time of need. Love The Frisbys Beryl and Rita Mauldin rmauldin01@hotmail.com We love you all. -So very sorry to lose our precious nephew and cousin. His great-grandmother would say, "Remember, we are not in charge."Please e-mail us. Beryl, Rita, Oren, Laura Brad and Linda Rowbury Jennifer, There aren't even words. We loved Chris very much and will miss him terribly. We are so thankful that you married him and that we were able to know him, even though the time was short. He was an amazing man and we will never forget him. We love you and Sadie very much. Ryan & Deanna Poulsen rdpoulsen@gmail.com Jenn, our prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. We pray you'll be comforted by He who is mindful of us all. Much Love, Ryan & Deanna Lynn Clark I am so glad that I was able to get know Chris. He was a great example to me, he never complained, and his courage, and strength was incredible. His smile and his "YA" will be missed, along with his appetite. Good bye my friend. Thank you for your example, and adding your calm pleasant personality to the wild Clark Family. Billy Thomas I would like to send my deepest sympathy to you all. He will be greatly missed. Marilyn Rutt, LPN larmar@srv.net Jennifer I was very sad to hear of your sweetheart's passing. It is something you're never prepared for and my thought and prayers are for you and little Sadie. You cared for him so well and you will be blessed for doing so. Love, Marilyn (OBGYN) Sheila Oellrich Bill, I'm so sorry to hear about your son. Please know that you & your family are in my prayers. Bonnie Flory florybonnie@yahoo.com Dear Bill and family, Your family doesn't know me, but I've know Bill forever. I know what a great loss you have all had and will miss Chris. He must have been a very special man. I lost my husband from a brain tumor when he was 30 yrs old, leaving me with 3 very small little girls. My heart goes out to all of you. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Linden, Rachel, Anton, and Zackary Nielsen lindenandrachel@gmail.com Chris is amazing. We learned so much from his constant positive attitude and his genuine care for others. We frequently felt of his strong spirit and enjoyed listening to his testimony. We have been so privileged to know him. He will truly be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. Mel Thompson mel.thompson@wdc.usda.gov Bill, So saddened to hear of your son's passing. I lost my adult son in a hiking accident on July 20, 1997. It still seems like only yesterday. Please accept my deepest consolences. Mel Thompson Kim Rowberry(Tate) hokukim@q.com Jennifer, I know there are no words that can be said that make this any easier. Lean upon the poeple that are here for you. I am so sorry. If you ever, ever need help w/ anything, please let me know. Accept help where it is given, especially with Sadie. I'm so sorry again for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Kim Sharon Strobel What a wonderful person and I will always remember his gratitude for anything done whether big or small. Chris was inspiring with his positive attitude and had a gentleness about him that is truly admirable. It makes me smile to think that he always offered and was willing to help, even when he struggled to stand or walk. Chris will always be loved and remembered as one of the kindest people I know. He is now in paradise surrounded by loved ones and able to help and serve others in the spirit world until the resurrection. Jennifer, you are immensely blessed to have such a wonderful eternal companion and beautiful little Sadie! Love, Sharon Jean Greear jgreear@clearwire.net Bill and family: I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your son. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Jean Greear, former FSA co-worker David Strobel daves@ida.net Chris was a perfect gentleman to everyone. I was able to not only be his father-in-law but work with him at McNeil Development. I loved being able to take Chris to work, radiation appoinments etc. He was alway grateful and happy. He loved Jennifer and Sadie with all of his heart. Chris, You are my hero! You are in our Savior's loving care now. Dave Strobel Helaman Hancock hhancock@cdatribe-nsn.gov Chris was an amazing person, so very talented in so many ways. He was always full of kindness and happiness. He was a great friend to many. I will always remember what his teammates did as a demonstration of their love and support for Chris in highschool. He was well-liked and respected by everyone he met. My thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the York family. Sincerely, Helaman Hancock The Handly family Jhw3131@aol.com Our condolences to the family. He was truly a unique and outstanding person and will be very missed. Linda Fitch lindasfitch@msn.com Thinking of you. May happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time. Brad Jorgensen Condolences to a wonderful family, from an old friend! Dear Barbara York, We wanted to let you know of our sympathy in the passing of your grandson. The obituary listed so many of the things he was noted for. We should all take notice and try to emulate his life. Sincerely, Jay and Jane Cook, Pahrump, Nevada Hi Jack, This is Gerald & Maja Peck. We just wanted to say Hi since you have one of our friends there we found you. Walter and Anna Peck were my parents. and you were my Bishop. We have moved to Georgia and last time I was in I.F. was when my Dad died, June, 2002. Hope all is well with you, Gerald & Maja Peck Gerald & Maja Peck peck3910@aol.com So sorry for your loss. God called one of his best home. May you be comforted that we will surely see him again. Valerie Thompson rivers840@comcast.net To the York Family, May each of you find comfort in knowing that God is "near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves." (Psalm 34;18) He has promised to soon "swallow up death forever . . . and wipe the tears from all faces." (Isaiah 25;8) With Deepest Sympathy, Valerie Jeff and Tammy Nebeker Jennifer, your courage and selfless love have become an example that strengthens us. May the Lord's choicest blessings be with you in your time of need; may He bless you with peace and understanding. Our family will miss Chris so very much. Chris' relationship with the Savior was our strength when we were lacking and his love lifted us when we needed it most. Even as inadequate as we feel in times like these - we hope our prayers and love are able to help you. Ben Quintana benquintana@ymail.com Chris, I will you miss you my friend. The world was a better place because you were here. I am so lucky to have grown up with you and spent so much time together over the years. I am proud of the man you became and of the loving family you had with Jen and Sadie. To Jen and Sadie, thank you for the gift you gave to Chris' life. God blessed Chris by sending you to him, Jen. I'm glad I was able to meet you a few times and to have met Chris' daughter, Sadie. Sincerely, Ben(ji) Quintana Kevin and Janet Britton britton81299@hotmail.com Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We are not much for words, but we are deeply saddened by Chris' passing. His sweet spirit of greeting everyone and us at church, made us feel wonderful. We are so glad that Chris got to be a "daddy". We have believed in the past that Heavenly Father knows the time is near for our loved ones to go and gives us time, to enjoy our family and know the loved ones left behind will be taken care of. My father passed away almost 10 years ago, and Heavenly Father waited for all of us to be there to say our goodbyes and then it was alright to send my fathers sweet spirit up to heaven. Even though the time was short for you Jen, and your daughter Sadie, Chris is always watching over you and cannot wait for you two to be with him again someday. Take Care. Kevin & Janet Britton Lori Brady lori.brady@ut.usda.gov Bill and family, Our heart aches for your loss. Please know that we're thinking of you at this time. Ben and Lori Brady Rex Winn [rexw@cableone.net] York family, so many years have passed since you lived across the street, yet our memories are still vivid and happy ones. We always appreciated your friendship and kindness to us. We were indeed saddened to learn of Chris passing away and want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. How I wish we had the words to make everything better. Chris had accomplished so much in his young life and that must indeed be a comfort to you as you treasure the good times. Please know that we have thought of you often and will love you forever. God bless you in the days ahead with much peace and hope. Sincerely, Rex & Annette Winn and family RJ (from ShopKo) and Mae Jenn, we were so sorry to hear of your loss. We pray that God will comfort you in your sorrow and surround you with His love. You know better than anyone how Chris touched the lives of those around him. We don't think anyone who knew him could harbor an evil thought about your precious husband. He will truly be missed. Mark and Jill Neeley neeleymj@ida.net Jennifer, we so love you. Chris always loved to laugh and smile. What a wonderful man. Your grace and gentleness in caring for Chris during his illness touched us deeply. It was easy to see how much he loves you and Sadie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always. Jonathan and Anneka Walker jwalkerfamily@gmail.com Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We wish we could be there. I have been away for most of Chris's cancer so in my memory he will always be the kind, smiling, cousin that I remember. He always took time to say hi to me and usually made me laugh! He was such an example of faith and courage. We love you! Anneka Todd & Deena Hillam hillamte@ldsces.org Dear Jennifer, What a sweet couple you and Chris make! (We will always keep this in the present tense.) We are so grateful you are a family with a beautiful daughter between the two of you. What a sweet memory she will be of the forever love between you and Chris. We too will miss him. The light and spirit of the Lord radiated about him, as it does you as well. May his spirit and presence always be near to you and your sweet Sadie as he is still your as you are his. We love you! Our prayers go your way. Love Todd, Deena and Family Saundra Poulsen Dear Bill and June, I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Christopher. Although I have lost contact with you and your family over the years, I have not forgotton you. I have always appreciated the kindness you extended to my family when my dad passed away and we were in the Relief Society together in Garfield. I didn't know Christopher was employed at the Idaho Falls Temple. On several occasions I have seen a young man on the lawn mower. I think it was probably him. In reading about him on the web site, I can tell he was and is a remarkable young man. He comes from good stock. My prayers are with you and your good family. Love, Saundra Becky Rios beckylrios@gmail.com Bill, Kendra, and family - I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. God bless. Delene (Dee) Williams Kohler delenekohler@yahoo.com Dear June, I read about the death of your son in the Post Register. I am so sorry. I can't imagine anything worse than to lose a child or as in your case, children. I will remember you in my prayers and ask that somehow you will be comforted in this most agonizing time. I think of how it was when we were in college and just had no idea of what life had in store. Who would ever guess? Well, again, I wish that there was something I could do to make things better for you but I can't think of a thing that can fix what has happened. Know I am thinking of you. Delene Ed and Jeanene Owens Jeanene Owens@ut.usda.gov Bill and family, We are deeply sorry for the loss of your son. Our prayers are with you. Oren Mauldin oren.mauldin@gmail.com Uncle Bill, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Chris. My prayers and sympathy are with your family now. Oren Mauldin Becky Gerlach I only recently found out. My prayers and sympathies are with you. May God bless and keep you all.