York, George Luther M.D. 1929-2016

YORK, MABRY, DUNBAR, VENEMA, CHRIST, HIGGINS, SCHIPPER

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer
Date: 10/13/2016 at 14:35:56

George L. York, M.D, 87, of Ft. Myers, Florida, formerly of Clinton, passed away of complications following a stroke, Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Ft. Myers, Florida.

A Funeral Mass will be 10:30am, Thursday, September 22, 2016 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Dr. Dale Weber, Al Goerdt, Richard Farwell, Dr. John O’Shea, Dr. John Dixon, and Dr. Saadi Albaghdadi. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be former and current physicians at Medical Associates. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00-8:00pm and Thursday from 9:30am to the mass time at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting his obituary at www.snellzornig.com.

George Luther York, Jr., was born on June 25, 1929 on a farm in Bremer County, Iowa, the son of George Luther and Jennie (Mabry) York. He graduated in 1947 from Iowa State Teachers College High School in Cedar Falls where he lettered in track, basketball, and football. He received his undergraduate degrees in 1951 from Iowa State Teachers College (now known as the University of Northern Iowa) and graduated with double majors in Math and Science.

George taught high school physics, chemistry, and biology in Hampton, Iowa from 1951 to 1954, before heading back to college in Cedar Falls to finish up some pre-med requirements for medical school. He received Master's degrees in Science and Education in 1955. Immediately he entered medical school. He was married with two children at the time. He graduated from medical school at the University of Iowa in 1959. He did a general rotating internship at Riverside County Hospital in Riverside, California.

In July of 1960 he was asked by his childhood friend Dr. Arno Jensen to practice medicine in Clinton, Iowa. A partnership was formed in 1960 on a handshake only (no contract) and became what is today Medical Associates a multi-specialty clinic that includes a surgery center, cardiac center, oncology center, and three satellite clinics in Morrison, Fulton, and DeWitt. He served as its Medical Director for many years. Dr. York retired in 2007 after 47 years of practicing. While practicing he delivered over 2,000 babies.

George served as the former Medical Director of Wyndcrest and Bluff Terrace Nursing Homes, Clinton County Health Officer and Member of the Clinton County Board of Health for over 40 years, served as Clinton County Coroner, served as chairman of the Credentials Committee at Mercy Hospital, Clinton County and Iowa State Medical Society. He served as a former board member and president of Mt. St. Clare College, board member and Chairman of Mercy Health Center Board of Directors (first physician to serve in this capacity). He was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church enjoyed playing golf at the Clinton Country Club where he served on the board of directors and as its President for several terms.

George married Catherine Dunbar on April 15, 1950 in Cedar Falls; she later passed away. He later married Janet (Venema) on May 13, 1978 in Clinton. He is survived by his wife: Janet of Ft. Myers, Florida; two daughters: Mary Kay (Rick) Christ of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Jennifer (Chris) Higgins of Des Moines, Iowa; and one step-son: Steven (Cristen) Schipper and their children Ross & Ava of Des Moines, Iowa; In addition to his first wife he was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a sister and his son: William P. York on December 12, 2003.

The greatest joy in his life was his family.

Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury 636 Morris Turnpike - Suite 3A - Short Hills, NJ 07078, or to the family for a memorial to be established in the future.