Clyde Wade York

Clyde W. York, 94, of Panama City passed away peacefully on March 2, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Perry, Florida on January 9, 1927.  He moved to Panama City in 1945 after serving in the Army during World War II. He is fondly remembered as Mr. York of York’s Service Station in Forest Park and later as owner and operator of York’s Auto Service on Frankford Avenue in Panama City.  He is also remembered as the man who had the wrecker with his German Shepards as riding companions, Sam, Dutches, or Gretchen who always wore sunglasses. He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Helen; children Calvin York (Louise), Nancy Barnett (Adrian), and Linda York; grandchildren Greg York (Margaret), Jay York (Paola),  and Amanda Strickland (Ben); five great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  For many years, he was an active member of Scottish Rite and the Shaddai Shiners and former Worshipful Master of Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Mason of Florida, Lodge number 337.  As a Shriner, he brought many smiles to disabled children for many years as he climbed out of a helicopter dressed as Santa providing them with gifts of joy.  He also was proud of the tiny car he drove with the Shaddai Temple in parades all over Northwest Florida.  He was well known in the community for his numerous newspaper letters to the editor; fish tales of his time at Howard’s Creek and entertaining everyone he met by telling his jokes and stories. A special thank you goes out to the St Andrews Fire Department, Dr. Andrew Weber and his staff, Kindred at Home Health Care, Scottish Rite members and the nurses and staff of Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center, 3rd floor.  A funeral will be held at Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home on Monday, March 8, 2021 at 3:00 pm.  The family will receive visitors at 2:00 pm.  Masonic Rites will be performed.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Shriners’ Hospitals for Children- Florida, 12592 USF Pine Drive, Tampa, FL 33612.  The family request that COVID guidelines be observed.