FRANKLIN
Roger Ray York Sr., 72, of Franklin, passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2017, in Indianapolis. He was born on Aug. 3, 1944, in Lafayette to his parents, Edgar T. and Wanda (York) York. He married Darlene (Burton) York, on Nov. 9, 1961, in Lafayette.
He owned and operated A Best Wildlife Removal Company. Roger also served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1966 and the National Guard from 1984 to 1987. He co-founded the IADCA (Indiana Animal Damage Control Association) and served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) providing guidance and a voice for foster children. He was a member of the LDS church in Franklin for 36 years, the American Legion #205, Franklin, and the Boys Scouts-Crossroads of America council. Roger enjoyed trapping, fishing, mushroom hunting, and building and flying model airplanes. He also loved boxing and founded the Franklin Boxing Club.
Roger is survived by his wife, Darlene York of Franklin; four children, Teresa D. York of Franklin, Tammy L. York and Roger R. York Jr., both of Lafayette, and Shane A. (Melanie) York of Franklin; a sister, Debbie (Dale) Williams of St. Petersburg, Florida; two brothers, Dennis A. (Karen) York of North Carolina and Thomas E. York of Florida; eight grandchildren, Josh York, Terrance York, Denny Minix, Tawni Thomas, Lexi Minix, Merrick York, Matthias Hedrick and Joseph Patterson and nine great-grandchildren, Jackie York, Jalen York, Gabe York, Katherine York, Vivian York, Lilah York, Isaiah Alspaugh, Jesse Thomas and Annabelle Thomas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Larry York.
The family will be hosting a visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Jessen Funeral Home, Whiteland Chapel 729 U.S. 31 North. A second visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday with the service immediately following at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 201 Eastview Dr., Franklin. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request memorial contributions be made to The Wounded Warriors Project.
