Edwin Gaillard York III, 79, born July 18, 1929 in Nashville, Tenn., a resident of Orange Beach, died Monday, May 11, 2009 after a hard fought battle with cancer.
He graduated from East Nashville High at age 16 and realized his life’s dream of being a jet pilot when he was accepted into the U.S. Naval Flight Training program and was enrolled at Tennessee Tech University for two years of pre-flight education.
He had his flight training at Pensacola Naval Air Station and earned his Naval Wings of Gold. During his career he was honored for leading his squadron to a national first-place in a firing and bombing competition. He was assigned to several aircraft carriers, including the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was commander for the Naval Reserve Squadron in Marietta, Ga., and later attained the rank of captain. He spent 28 years, active and reserve, serving his country.
He graduated from the University of Florida, with a degree in architecture and was associated with firms in Panama City, Fla., Montgomery and Birmingham and finished his career as a manufacturer's agent. His specialty was designing and specifying commercial kitchens for large institutions.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin G. York Jr. and Evelyn Crawford York, his first wife, the mother of his children, Marelle Elliott York, an infant son, Glenn Elliott York, and a brother, James A. York.
Survivors include his wife Gwen Weems York of Orange Beach; son Dale “Happy” York of Vestavia; three daughters, Susan (Sheldon) Perhacs of Springville, Cindy (Pete) Farrior of Montgomery and Karen (Doug) Eddleman of Mountain Brook; step-daughter, Lynne (Tim) Ryan of Hyde Park, N.Y.; step-son, Lew Weems of Springhill; 12 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; three brothers, Robert (Norma) York of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Bill York of Nashville and John (Debra) York of Gladeville, Tenn.
The family would like to give special recognition to Dr. Thomas B. Tan and all his staff, Dr. Nathan Floyd and staff, Pensacola Baptist Hospital, and all the third floor nurses and staff and special nurse, Janie Quick, for all the wonderful, loving care each gave to the whole family.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Association.
Visitation was held Thursday, May 14 at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Foley. A private, family burial will be held at Southern Heritage of Birmingham.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Foley.
