Obituary of Melvin York
Melvin York, known fondly as “Brother Melvin,” “Melvin,” “Mel,” and “Uncle Melvin,” was born on May 5, 1947, in Hurricane, Alabama and raised in White Lake, NY. On Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at Garnet Health, Harris, NY, Melvin passed through the shadow of death without fear into the loving arms of our Creator.
Melvin (“Kato”) graduated from Monticello High School in 1967. He entered the US Army in that same year and served for three years in Active Duty and three years in Reserves. He proudly served our Country in the Vietnam War. During his enlistment, Melvin received the following medals—National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, and the Army Commendation Medal. While in the Army, one of his passions was playing the Tuba.
Melvin accepted the Lord as his Savior at a very young age under Rev. Mary Alli. During his adult years, he lived in Troy, NY and was employed by Eastman Kodak. He attended The Redemption Church and was closely associated with the AGAPE Apostolic Church. It was during these years that he met and married Frances E. Grimes (1975-1984). He later moved back to Monticello, NY and faithfully attended the Mongaup Valley Methodist Church under Pastor Jordan and Calvary Church in Monticello under Pastor Romero. Melvin also attended the Eagle Bible Institute, Dallas, Texas and received an Exhorter Minister’s Certificate. His ministry was self-proclaimed and widely known within the county.
Melvin was an extraordinary photographer and writer for the River Reporter and the Sullivan County Democrat in his earlier years. He also used these talents and worked with his brother Jesse with the Million Man March organization and the Boxing Association for the Youth. With his sister Elizabeth Woodard, he worked in the Saturday AM Program, 4-H Club and the Community Action Committee of Liberty, New York. Melvin volunteered a lot in the community that he loved.
Melvin was predeceased by his parents, Willard and Elvira (Bracey) York; two sisters, Maggie Palmer and Ruthann York; and one brother, Steven York. He leaves his devoted family to grieve; three sisters, Claretha York of New York City, Elizabeth (Artrice) Woodard of Atlanta, GA, and Margaret York of Buffalo, NY; four brothers, his faithful brother, Jessie (Thelma “Sandy”) York of Monticello, NY, George York and Robert York both of Albany, NY, and Cecil Carter of Fort Lauderdale, FL; long-time friends, Toni and Anthony Worrell of Monticello, NY, and Alice Jenkins of Buffalo, NY; along with a long list of loving and caring nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Melvin, we love you and wanted you to stay here with us, but we realized that your time was up here on Earth and you are in your new home praising and worshipping the Lord with all of our loved ones who are waiting for us all; by and by.