Husband of Clara Mechow Falkenrath (m. 1952). Ex-husband of Shirley Krause York (m. 1949).
Father of five, including David George York (memorial ID 72483806), his biological son from his first marriage. David York was later adopted by his stepfather Robert Charles York.
Exit Interview Notes
(Notes taken over breakfast at IHOP, June 2012)
John despised authority. This wariness was rooted in his childhood, when teachers struck their students' knuckles with rulers and other kids routinely took down skinny kids like John without acknowledgement from teachers or parents. John learned that he could not count on authority like he could count on himself. He behaved according to this lesson by always following his own lead mostly with success. However, his behavior limited some of his relationships – especially his relationships with his parents when he was young – and it sometimes caused others to worry. All lessons are limiting. Even useful ideas are limiting in some way.
John started out, as a young man, thinking of himself as an unattractive nerd of little value. He found the confidence needed to approach girls when his parents sent him to dance school. His self-esteem further developed when racy rumors about him randomly flew around school and he suddenly grew six inches. John was not always the self-confident and possessed man you probably remember from your own experience with him. These qualities may be developed over time.
At age two, John fell over a lamppost and lost his eyesight in his right eye. This eye strayed slightly over to the side, marring John's appearance a bit, but the effects of the accident went beyond the cosmetic. Being partially blind limited John's ability to play sports and perform certain jobs while in the service. Being partially blind didn't, however, limit John's ability to fantasize about flying airplanes. In his late 20s, John began experiencing vision problems that required surgery. John remembered awakening from surgery to the sound of his mother exclaiming, "My god, he can see straight!" John was startled to realize that he could not only see straight, but out of both eyes. He went on to earn his pilot's license. Flying for the first time was one of the highlights of his life. Things that are impossible now may be possible in the future.
When John became interested in Clara, he asked some of the guys in her class what they thought about her. They said, "Stay away, John. She's a brain." Over the sixty years John and Clara were together, John found this to be true; Clara was a brain. However, John did not regret his choice for a wife. Some people like brains.
John and Clara married in a little church in La Grande, Oregon. John vowed to love, cherish and protect Clara. Clara vowed to love, honor and obey John. For the most part, they upheld these vows although Clara was not much for obeying. As a result, they had their share of spats, but almost all of these spats were unimportant. You don't need to obey your spouse to have a successful marriage.
John had a playful relationship with his "kid sisters" [Clara's sisters] and it was a lot of fun. He delighted in asking them, "Have you been behaving yourself?" A spouse's siblings can become your siblings over time.
When Clara gave birth to Susan, John was eagerly waiting in the hospital waiting room to meet his daughter. In contrast, when John's first wife gave birth, nobody told John that she had gone into labor. Everybody acted like that son wasn't truly his. Holding Susan for the first time and knowing she was his child was an extremely important event. John fondly remembered all of the evenings when infant Susan fell asleep on his bare chest, listening to his heartbeat while John thought about how she was his. John found great joy in being Johnny, Bob and Bill's father too. He was proud of himself for finding the confidence to barge into the labor room when Bill was being born although that was not allowed in those days. Knowing your child is yours is not easily surpassed as a source of joy.
When Bob was born, John feared that Bob would die of spinal meningitis and Clara of renal problems. John was forced to develop the strength of not getting tangled in distressing thoughts. He learned how to focus on what he could do in first response, to correct errors, or to comfort Clara. When you are upset, try to focus on what you can do. Sometimes there isn't anything to do except retreat and pass time reading a book.
John found being a grandfather and great grandfather to be a very fun experience. He especially enjoyed when his grandkids were little. The key to having fun with kids is to play with them on their level, not yours.
John was committed to honoring his family. This meant that his first thought or concern in any situation was for his family. John knew that he would die desiring, above all else, that his family would carry on his legacy of honor. John began life believing that it was the job of men to protect their families, but his wife, daughter, and granddaughters proved him incorrect. You may honor your family regardless of your gender, your character, or your history of being there or not being there for your family in the past. You are able to do this; you come from John's family and he was able to do this. He wanted you to remember that he was honest with you and he was a good man.
Father of five, including David George York (memorial ID 72483806), his biological son from his first marriage. David York was later adopted by his stepfather Robert Charles York.
Exit Interview Notes
(Notes taken over breakfast at IHOP, June 2012)
John despised authority. This wariness was rooted in his childhood, when teachers struck their students' knuckles with rulers and other kids routinely took down skinny kids like John without acknowledgement from teachers or parents. John learned that he could not count on authority like he could count on himself. He behaved according to this lesson by always following his own lead mostly with success. However, his behavior limited some of his relationships – especially his relationships with his parents when he was young – and it sometimes caused others to worry. All lessons are limiting. Even useful ideas are limiting in some way.
John started out, as a young man, thinking of himself as an unattractive nerd of little value. He found the confidence needed to approach girls when his parents sent him to dance school. His self-esteem further developed when racy rumors about him randomly flew around school and he suddenly grew six inches. John was not always the self-confident and possessed man you probably remember from your own experience with him. These qualities may be developed over time.
At age two, John fell over a lamppost and lost his eyesight in his right eye. This eye strayed slightly over to the side, marring John's appearance a bit, but the effects of the accident went beyond the cosmetic. Being partially blind limited John's ability to play sports and perform certain jobs while in the service. Being partially blind didn't, however, limit John's ability to fantasize about flying airplanes. In his late 20s, John began experiencing vision problems that required surgery. John remembered awakening from surgery to the sound of his mother exclaiming, "My god, he can see straight!" John was startled to realize that he could not only see straight, but out of both eyes. He went on to earn his pilot's license. Flying for the first time was one of the highlights of his life. Things that are impossible now may be possible in the future.
When John became interested in Clara, he asked some of the guys in her class what they thought about her. They said, "Stay away, John. She's a brain." Over the sixty years John and Clara were together, John found this to be true; Clara was a brain. However, John did not regret his choice for a wife. Some people like brains.
John and Clara married in a little church in La Grande, Oregon. John vowed to love, cherish and protect Clara. Clara vowed to love, honor and obey John. For the most part, they upheld these vows although Clara was not much for obeying. As a result, they had their share of spats, but almost all of these spats were unimportant. You don't need to obey your spouse to have a successful marriage.
John had a playful relationship with his "kid sisters" [Clara's sisters] and it was a lot of fun. He delighted in asking them, "Have you been behaving yourself?" A spouse's siblings can become your siblings over time.
When Clara gave birth to Susan, John was eagerly waiting in the hospital waiting room to meet his daughter. In contrast, when John's first wife gave birth, nobody told John that she had gone into labor. Everybody acted like that son wasn't truly his. Holding Susan for the first time and knowing she was his child was an extremely important event. John fondly remembered all of the evenings when infant Susan fell asleep on his bare chest, listening to his heartbeat while John thought about how she was his. John found great joy in being Johnny, Bob and Bill's father too. He was proud of himself for finding the confidence to barge into the labor room when Bill was being born although that was not allowed in those days. Knowing your child is yours is not easily surpassed as a source of joy.
When Bob was born, John feared that Bob would die of spinal meningitis and Clara of renal problems. John was forced to develop the strength of not getting tangled in distressing thoughts. He learned how to focus on what he could do in first response, to correct errors, or to comfort Clara. When you are upset, try to focus on what you can do. Sometimes there isn't anything to do except retreat and pass time reading a book.
John found being a grandfather and great grandfather to be a very fun experience. He especially enjoyed when his grandkids were little. The key to having fun with kids is to play with them on their level, not yours.
John was committed to honoring his family. This meant that his first thought or concern in any situation was for his family. John knew that he would die desiring, above all else, that his family would carry on his legacy of honor. John began life believing that it was the job of men to protect their families, but his wife, daughter, and granddaughters proved him incorrect. You may honor your family regardless of your gender, your character, or your history of being there or not being there for your family in the past. You are able to do this; you come from John's family and he was able to do this. He wanted you to remember that he was honest with you and he was a good man.
Husband of Clara Mechow Falkenrath (m. 1952). Ex-husband of Shirley Krause York (m. 1949).
Father of five, including David George York (memorial ID 72483806), his biological son from his first marriage. David York was later adopted by his stepfather Robert Charles York.
Exit Interview Notes
(Notes taken over breakfast at IHOP, June 2012)
John despised authority. This wariness was rooted in his childhood, when teachers struck their students' knuckles with rulers and other kids routinely took down skinny kids like John without acknowledgement from teachers or parents. John learned that he could not count on authority like he could count on himself. He behaved according to this lesson by always following his own lead mostly with success. However, his behavior limited some of his relationships – especially his relationships with his parents when he was young – and it sometimes caused others to worry. All lessons are limiting. Even useful ideas are limiting in some way.
John started out, as a young man, thinking of himself as an unattractive nerd of little value. He found the confidence needed to approach girls when his parents sent him to dance school. His self-esteem further developed when racy rumors about him randomly flew around school and he suddenly grew six inches. John was not always the self-confident and possessed man you probably remember from your own experience with him. These qualities may be developed over time.
At age two, John fell over a lamppost and lost his eyesight in his right eye. This eye strayed slightly over to the side, marring John's appearance a bit, but the effects of the accident went beyond the cosmetic. Being partially blind limited John's ability to play sports and perform certain jobs while in the service. Being partially blind didn't, however, limit John's ability to fantasize about flying airplanes. In his late 20s, John began experiencing vision problems that required surgery. John remembered awakening from surgery to the sound of his mother exclaiming, "My god, he can see straight!" John was startled to realize that he could not only see straight, but out of both eyes. He went on to earn his pilot's license. Flying for the first time was one of the highlights of his life. Things that are impossible now may be possible in the future.
When John became interested in Clara, he asked some of the guys in her class what they thought about her. They said, "Stay away, John. She's a brain." Over the sixty years John and Clara were together, John found this to be true; Clara was a brain. However, John did not regret his choice for a wife. Some people like brains.
John and Clara married in a little church in La Grande, Oregon. John vowed to love, cherish and protect Clara. Clara vowed to love, honor and obey John. For the most part, they upheld these vows although Clara was not much for obeying. As a result, they had their share of spats, but almost all of these spats were unimportant. You don't need to obey your spouse to have a successful marriage.
John had a playful relationship with his "kid sisters" [Clara's sisters] and it was a lot of fun. He delighted in asking them, "Have you been behaving yourself?" A spouse's siblings can become your siblings over time.
When Clara gave birth to Susan, John was eagerly waiting in the hospital waiting room to meet his daughter. In contrast, when John's first wife gave birth, nobody told John that she had gone into labor. Everybody acted like that son wasn't truly his. Holding Susan for the first time and knowing she was his child was an extremely important event. John fondly remembered all of the evenings when infant Susan fell asleep on his bare chest, listening to his heartbeat while John thought about how she was his. John found great joy in being Johnny, Bob and Bill's father too. He was proud of himself for finding the confidence to barge into the labor room when Bill was being born although that was not allowed in those days. Knowing your child is yours is not easily surpassed as a source of joy.
When Bob was born, John feared that Bob would die of spinal meningitis and Clara of renal problems. John was forced to develop the strength of not getting tangled in distressing thoughts. He learned how to focus on what he could do in first response, to correct errors, or to comfort Clara. When you are upset, try to focus on what you can do. Sometimes there isn't anything to do except retreat and pass time reading a book.
John found being a grandfather and great grandfather to be a very fun experience. He especially enjoyed when his grandkids were little. The key to having fun with kids is to play with them on their level, not yours.
John was committed to honoring his family. This meant that his first thought or concern in any situation was for his family. John knew that he would die desiring, above all else, that his family would carry on his legacy of honor. John began life believing that it was the job of men to protect their families, but his wife, daughter, and granddaughters proved him incorrect. You may honor your family regardless of your gender, your character, or your history of being there or not being there for your family in the past. You are able to do this; you come from John's family and he was able to do this. He wanted you to remember that he was honest with you and he was a good man.
Father of five, including David George York (memorial ID 72483806), his biological son from his first marriage. David York was later adopted by his stepfather Robert Charles York.
Exit Interview Notes
(Notes taken over breakfast at IHOP, June 2012)
John despised authority. This wariness was rooted in his childhood, when teachers struck their students' knuckles with rulers and other kids routinely took down skinny kids like John without acknowledgement from teachers or parents. John learned that he could not count on authority like he could count on himself. He behaved according to this lesson by always following his own lead mostly with success. However, his behavior limited some of his relationships – especially his relationships with his parents when he was young – and it sometimes caused others to worry. All lessons are limiting. Even useful ideas are limiting in some way.
John started out, as a young man, thinking of himself as an unattractive nerd of little value. He found the confidence needed to approach girls when his parents sent him to dance school. His self-esteem further developed when racy rumors about him randomly flew around school and he suddenly grew six inches. John was not always the self-confident and possessed man you probably remember from your own experience with him. These qualities may be developed over time.
At age two, John fell over a lamppost and lost his eyesight in his right eye. This eye strayed slightly over to the side, marring John's appearance a bit, but the effects of the accident went beyond the cosmetic. Being partially blind limited John's ability to play sports and perform certain jobs while in the service. Being partially blind didn't, however, limit John's ability to fantasize about flying airplanes. In his late 20s, John began experiencing vision problems that required surgery. John remembered awakening from surgery to the sound of his mother exclaiming, "My god, he can see straight!" John was startled to realize that he could not only see straight, but out of both eyes. He went on to earn his pilot's license. Flying for the first time was one of the highlights of his life. Things that are impossible now may be possible in the future.
When John became interested in Clara, he asked some of the guys in her class what they thought about her. They said, "Stay away, John. She's a brain." Over the sixty years John and Clara were together, John found this to be true; Clara was a brain. However, John did not regret his choice for a wife. Some people like brains.
John and Clara married in a little church in La Grande, Oregon. John vowed to love, cherish and protect Clara. Clara vowed to love, honor and obey John. For the most part, they upheld these vows although Clara was not much for obeying. As a result, they had their share of spats, but almost all of these spats were unimportant. You don't need to obey your spouse to have a successful marriage.
John had a playful relationship with his "kid sisters" [Clara's sisters] and it was a lot of fun. He delighted in asking them, "Have you been behaving yourself?" A spouse's siblings can become your siblings over time.
When Clara gave birth to Susan, John was eagerly waiting in the hospital waiting room to meet his daughter. In contrast, when John's first wife gave birth, nobody told John that she had gone into labor. Everybody acted like that son wasn't truly his. Holding Susan for the first time and knowing she was his child was an extremely important event. John fondly remembered all of the evenings when infant Susan fell asleep on his bare chest, listening to his heartbeat while John thought about how she was his. John found great joy in being Johnny, Bob and Bill's father too. He was proud of himself for finding the confidence to barge into the labor room when Bill was being born although that was not allowed in those days. Knowing your child is yours is not easily surpassed as a source of joy.
When Bob was born, John feared that Bob would die of spinal meningitis and Clara of renal problems. John was forced to develop the strength of not getting tangled in distressing thoughts. He learned how to focus on what he could do in first response, to correct errors, or to comfort Clara. When you are upset, try to focus on what you can do. Sometimes there isn't anything to do except retreat and pass time reading a book.
John found being a grandfather and great grandfather to be a very fun experience. He especially enjoyed when his grandkids were little. The key to having fun with kids is to play with them on their level, not yours.
John was committed to honoring his family. This meant that his first thought or concern in any situation was for his family. John knew that he would die desiring, above all else, that his family would carry on his legacy of honor. John began life believing that it was the job of men to protect their families, but his wife, daughter, and granddaughters proved him incorrect. You may honor your family regardless of your gender, your character, or your history of being there or not being there for your family in the past. You are able to do this; you come from John's family and he was able to do this. He wanted you to remember that he was honest with you and he was a good man.
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