Joey Howard York

Joey Howard York
Cisco, Texas - Joey Howard York, 67, passed away Friday, December 17, 2021, in Abilene, Texas. His life will be celebrated Wednesday, December 22, 2021.
Joey was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 18, 1954, to James Leonard and Ruth Evaleen Rist York. He graduated from Lincoln East High School, later attending Cisco College in Cisco, Texas. He joined the Navy in 1972, serving two years primarily in Pensacola, Florida.
Joey was seventh among ten children in an active, vibrant household. He grew up hunting, fishing, and working alongside his father and six brothers. After helping in the ten-acre garden, the whole family enjoyed swimming and fishing in summer, sledding and skating in winter, and marathon card games throughout. Team sports included football, baseball and wrestling. In 1972 Joey’s high school wrestling team toured South America, competing in matches across the continent.
After his naval service Joey moved from Lincoln to central Texas. He met “the Man with all the answers” and committed his life to following Him. Joey was baptized in June of 1977 in the Worldwide Church of God. Later he joined the Assembly of Yahweh (7th day) between Cisco and Rising Star, eventually becoming an elder there.
A few months after baptism Joey met Cisco, Texas, native Ruth Vernell Wilks at a religious event in Big Spring. They married March 24, 1978. Their eight children are Leighton Howard, Jedadiah Joseph (Erin), James Chance “Chance” (Tiffany), William Wesley Whiteside (Chelsea), Rachel Vernell, Walker Wayne (Michelle), Ruth Irene “Ri” and Asya Lavoy York. Six reside in Cisco; Jedadiah lives in Mena, Arkansas, and Chance in Carbon, Texas. Joey took great delight in his twenty-two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Joey often said, “I’ll always be from Nebraska, but I love Texas and her people.” Whether working in construction or the oilfield (mostly for the Wilks and Nelms families), fishing, hunting, playing cards, or delivering his signature home-cooked treats around town, he took a real interest in everyone he met. He was an active member of the Assembly of Yahweh. When his children were small he volunteered for Cisco Little League. Later he devoted many hours to the Cisco Food Pantry (now The Blessing Box). He treasured every moment spent with a wide array of friends and acquaintances.
Joey was preceded in death by his father, mother, and two older brothers, James W. and Jerry L.York. Beside his wife and children, survivors include three sisters: Jo Ann York of Lincoln, NE; Jean Stevens and Jan Adair of Irwinton, GA; four brothers: John York of Nebraska City, NE; Jack York and Judson York (Michele) of Lincoln, NE; and Jeff York (Amy) of York, NE; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kimbrough Funeral Home of Cisco. Please join the family Wednesday, December 22, 2021, for:
10:00 a.m. Graveside service, Romney Cemetery, 10 miles south of Cisco on US Hwy 183

11:00 a.m. Celebration of life, Assembly of Yahweh Auditorium, 109 County Road 280, Rising Star, TX
12:00 p.m. Lunch and fellowship, Assembly of Yahweh Fellowship Hall
Flowers may be sent to Assembly of Yahweh; or, alternatively,
donations to The Blessing Box (formerly Cisco Food Pantry), PO Box 45, Cisco TX 76437

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joey Howard York, please visit our floral store.