James Edward York

Mr. James Edward York, 69, retired pilot with Delta Airlines and resident of Barrow Court, died Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at St. Thomas Hospital. A memorial service will be conducted Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Bill Williamson officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols. Memorials may be made to Columbia State Community College Vet Tech Program, 1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, TN 38401; The King's Daughters' School, 412 West 9th St., Columbia, TN 38401 or First Presbyterian Church, 801 South High Street, Columbia, TN 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born in Dandridge, Tennessee he was the son of Florence Mullins York of Columbia and the late Clyde M. York. He was a graduate of Columbia Central High School and the University of Tennessee. A Vietnam Veteran in the U.S. Air Force, he joined Delta Airlines serving as a pilot, captain and flight instructor for almost 30 years. He made Atlanta, Georgia his home for almost 40 years where he was a founder and partner of the Stanfield York Company, a commercial real estate firm based in Atlanta. He returned to Columbia in 2004 where he served on the Board of Directors of First Farmers and Merchants Bank. His involvement and leadership also included Columbia State Community College, The King's Daughters' School and The Maury County Comprehensive Growth Study. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and enjoyed his refuge on the family farm. In addition to his mother survivors include his wife, Harriet Cox York of Columbia; son, James Edward York, Jr. of Miami, Florida; two daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth York (Myles W.) Clouston of New York City, New York, Mary Margaret York of Hamburg, Germany; sister, Margaret York (Thomas C.) Puckett of Nashville; and granddaughter, Dylan Alba York of Miami, Florida. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Katherine Crow York in 2003.