Richard Leon York of the Dripping Springs Community in Princeton, KY, passed away Thursday May 29, 2025, surrounded by his wife, daughters, and family, after a short illness. He was 85 years old.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Jan York of Princeton, his three daughters, Joy Combs of Hopkinsville, Sandy and Bob Hinton of Clay, Tina and James Shockley of Carrollton, GA, six grandchildren, Amanda Crutchfield, Kyle Teer, Katie Teer, Caleb Teer, Zach Shockley, Bailey Shockley and five great-grandchildren and his beloved Maggie, the Australian Shepherd dog that will miss him dearly.
Richard was born October 21, 1939, in Crittenden County, Kentucky to the late Charlie York and the late Evelyn York. He is survived by his older sister Charlotte Lane and his late brother-in-law, Glenn Lane, his sister the late Jennie Bowers, and surviving brother-in-law Jerry Bowers, and his late sister and brother-in-law, Sue Cotton and Bobby Cotton, along with many nieces and nephews.
Richard led an adventurous life, from his early years with his love of hunting, fishing, and camping. His favorite spots were secluded fishing ponds and the Land Between the Lakes recreational area. He worked many years at Shawnee Plastics in Kuttawa before relocating to Siegel Roberts in Wilson, Arkansas, where he lived in Osceola, AR until his retirement. While in Arkansas, he and his wife found the love of RVing. From weekend trips to beautiful state parks to the beaches in Galveston, they rode the roads in their RV. When not traveling in the RV, they would hit the road in search of our country’s beautiful National Parks from the West Coast to the East Coast, Canada, and Mexico. Of all the places they traveled, he loved the West the best. This stemmed from his love of westerns, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. His favorite movie was “Once Upon a Time in the West”, which he could watch over and over again. He also had a passion for landscaping, from building stacked stone walls and split rail fences to designing a desert-themed cactus garden and beautiful flower beds.
However, his greatest love was the University of Kentucky Basketball. To say he “bleeds blue” is an understatement. He followed them with a passion.
The irony of his death is that his beloved outdoors is what caused his untimely death. He contracted a blood-borne infection from a tick, Ehrlichiosis HLH. Please be careful when outdoors.
Also, exactly 14 years to the day, he lost his beloved mother, Evelyn York. They are now forever reunited in heaven, along with his grandson, Camden Crutchfield. Rest in peace, Richard, so long pilgrim, until we meet again, happy trails!
Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:30 PM Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Morgan’s Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 1st at 2:30 at Morgan Funeral Home in Princeton, KY. Services will be officiated by Pastor Ronnie Fox and Pastor Mark Faughn. Burial will follow at Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery in Eddyville, KY.
