James L. York Sr.

Jim York, Sr., a lifelong educator, coach, photographer, Christian, and lover of animals, passed away on August 24, 2026, at Mercy Heart Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 84. Born on June 30, 1942, in Hannibal, Missouri, to Donald Lee and Leona Pennewell York, Jim returned to his beloved hometown of Louisiana, Missouri, in 1970 and spent the rest of his life serving the community he loved. Jim’s family moved to Louisiana when he was in fifth grade, and he continued to attend the Louisiana schools, graduating from LHS in 1960. He graduated from Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri, in 1964 and began teaching history and coaching football and track in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. In 1967, Jim started and developed the football program at Van-Far High School in Vandalia, Missouri. In 1970, Jim brought his family home to Louisiana, where he served in various positions in the school district: teacher, coach, principal and later as a member of the Board of Education. He also worked in inside sales at Sonoco Paper Products and as Harbor Master at Two Rivers Marina before returning to his first love: education. Jim met Peggy Calhoun while they were students at Louisiana High School. They were married on August 1, 1964, and Peggy survives. Also surviving are their two children, Melinda Webert and James York, Jr. (Carmen); five grandsons, Chase Webert (Bela), James York III (Kathleen), Quentin Webert (Olivia), Jonathan York (Megan) and Tyler York (Sarah); and great-granddaughter, Estelle Louise York. Jim is also survived by nieces and nephews Susan Liter (Jason), Kim Brown, Randee Wahlgren (Rob), Joe Calhoun and Rich Eickelman; and great-nieces and nephews Amanda Brown (Shelly), Payton Weber, Macy McCurdy, Maddie Christal (Kameron), Marli Liter, Alex and Sam Wahlgren, Brittain and Chance Sinroll, Matthew Calhoun, Kaeden Jenkins, Sona McDowell, Colin, Charlie and Archie Calhoun, and Sean Eickelman. Preceding Jim in death were his parents, Don and Penny York; his in-laws, Joe and Eleanor Calhoun; his sister, Sudy Jenkins; his brother-in-law, David Jenkins; and his brother-in-law, Rockne Calhoun. While Jim enjoyed all of his professions, he was especially proud of his career as a high school principal. He had great love and respect for the students and teachers. His students remember hearing his shoes clicking in the halls, warning them that he was coming. They also remember “the snake bite,” his special way of calling them to him by flexing two fingers. Jim was also known for wearing a suit and tie to school every day to show respect to his students and staff. When he retired, one student said, “But, Mr. York, what will you do with all your suits?” Jim was an avid boater his entire life. Sharing the beauty of the Mississippi River with family and friends brought him immense joy. He spent many years running up and down the river with special friends the Bells, Harts and Clarks, and in later years the Branstetters and Ballmanns. On any given day, you could find Jim at Two Rivers Marina cleaning on his boats. He especially enjoyed helping new boaters “learn the ropes” of boating on the river. Jim was also a lover of all animals. There was no such thing as a stray animal to him! He and his dog, Wulf, were a familiar sight driving through the streets of Louisiana. A visitation will be held at Collier Funeral Home in Louisiana, Missouri, on Friday, August 28, from 4–7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Collier Funeral Home on Saturday, August 29, at 10 a.m. A luncheon at the Keeley Center in Louisiana will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Louisiana Football Boosters Club or the Louisiana John Cotton Animal Shelter.

James L. York Sr.

June 30, 1942 - August 24, 2026