Gary Alvin York

Gary was born July 25, 1939 in Auburn, Kentucky to Cohen and Talitha (“Tilly”) York. He grew up following his father who worked hard labor in mills in various towns throughout the South before finally settling in Bowling Green, Kentucky. An All-State drummer in high school, he ultimately graduated in Accounting from Western Kentucky University. He enlisted in the United States Navy and retired after nearly 30 years of active and reserve service as a Captain. He married Jeffanie York on March 5, 1966 and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. After working for several different large companies as a Certified Public Accountant, he ultimately decided that he only wanted to work for himself, so he established Gary A. York & Associates in 1975. He had to make time payments on his first Monroe calculator and take on work that other CPAs didn’t want. Over 41 years, he and Jeffanie grew the business into a thriving tax and financial services firm that prepared thousands of tax returns every year.

Gary and Jeffanie had two sons, David (Mindy) and Michael (Crystal), and eight grandchildren: Emma, John, Samuel, Hudson, Avery, Caroline, Elizabeth, and Victoria. He is also survived by an older sister, Harolene Cloyd, and by two nephews (Tony and Tommy) and a niece (Vivian).

Gary will be remembered for his dedication to his family and to his clients. He was funny, gregarious, hard working, and dedicated. He always enjoyed sharing a good story or telling a great joke. He loved his Country and for years he walked to a flagpole near his office to raise and lower an American flag until he could get a flagpole of his own. He taught his sons how to care for and respect the Flag. He also loved sailing and in his 70s he successfully studied for and obtained a Captain’s License for ships up to 100 tons. He was also an innovator, becoming one of the first CPAs to embrace advertising and adding financial services to his practice.

Gary was diagnosed with advanced liver disease in September, 2015, but did all he could to have one last tax season taking care of the clients that he loved. Although it took him hours to get ready each day and he often had to rest at the office in between appointments, he did all he could to help people with their finances and their businesses for one last tax season. He loved taking care of the financial needs of others and took great pride in providing high quality service. He ultimately worked until just a month prior to his passing.

Celebration of life services will be Saturday, June 4th, at Evans and Early Mortuary, 574 East 100 South, SLC.

In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable contribution, put money into a retirement plan, or do something else that is tax deductible. He would like that. Online condolences may be shared at www.evans-earlymortuary.com.