J. Steven York, retired psychologist
J. Steven York, 69, of Lewes, formerly of New Orleans, La., passed away peacefully in the afternoon of Friday, March 10, 2017, in his home in Lewes, surrounded by his loving family after a long struggle with cancer.
He was born in Murfreesboro, Tenn., June 7, 1947, the youngest son of the late Ether Norman York and the late Nora Gertrude (Moore) York. He is survived by his loving wife Glenda J. (Sharp) York. On Dec. 27, 2016, they celebrated 48 years of marriage. In addition to his wife, Steven is survived by his son, Brett Steven York, his daughter-in-law, Alison (Dye) York, and his two grandchildren, Alexander Brett York and Annabel Keira York, all of Falls Church, Va.; his sister Sammye (York) Baggott of Nashville, Tenn.; his sister-in-law Dymple Gaines York of Nashville; and several nieces and nephews.
Steven graduated from Central High School, Murfreesboro, in 1965. He attended Louisiana State University to study architecture and psychology for two years but had to return to Murfreesboro to care for his mother after his father passed away suddenly. Steven continued his studies at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology with honors in 1969. He then began graduate work at Ohio State University and was awarded a Ph.D. in psychology in 1975. Steven began work as a member of the faculty at Louisiana State University Medical School. Steven remained involved in the medical school as adjunct faculty throughout his career, and published and presented a number of academic papers throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
After several years of working in the medical school, Steven established his own private psychology practice, first specializing in child psychology before expanding to adult psychology and forensic psychology. He cared deeply for his patients and took great joy in helping them. Steven was also well known for his diagnostic skills and was responsible for evaluating the psychological fitness of people with sensitive jobs in the Department of Defense and the nuclear technology industry for several decades.
Steven loved food and was a gifted chef, able to cook by feel without recipes or measurements. He enjoyed hosting dinner parties with colleagues and friends featuring his creations. He believed that all important events in life, even sad occasions, should be marked by good food shared with family and friends. Steven was an excellent storyteller and entertainer with a talent for making people laugh and feel at ease. He liked to cultivate stories to share with friends by reading and traveling. He had a love of the interesting and fantastic, and was an avid reader who read a book every few days before he fell ill. He enjoyed traveling and visited numerous places in North, South, and Central America. His last significant trip before he fell ill was to Peru with his son Brett, where he went to Machu Picchu, rode dune buggies in the dunes of Huacachina, and rented a plane to fly over the Nazca Lines.
Steven loved plants and always found a way to tend them, including raising hundreds of plants on his balcony when he lived in a condominium for a number of years. Florists spontaneously offered Steven jobs on several occasions after seeing him prepare arrangements for friends. Before his illness intervened, Steven planned to build a greenhouse and raise orchids in his retirement.
There will be a memorial service Sunday, April 2, at the Falls Church Episcopal Church, 166 E. Broad St., Falls Church, Va., beginning at 3 p.m. If possible, please RSVP for this service at aliyork@icloud.com. Flowers for this service may be sent to 2265 Kings Garden Way, Falls Church, VA 22043, or in lieu of flowers, we wish that donations in Steven's name be sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. There will be a private memorial service at the home of a family friend in New Orleans. This service will take place in the late spring.
For details, please email inquiries to aliyork@icloud.com. Letter of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com. Professional service entrusted by Bennie Smith Funeral home, Millsboro.
