Lee York, 76, of Cedar Rapids, IA died unexpectedly due to complications from surgery at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.

A celebration of life gathering will be held from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Sunday, June 2, at 214 Bar and Grill, Victor, IA. Smith Funeral Home is assisting the family with cremation services.

Lee Allen York was born on October 29, 1947 in Ladora, IA to Ed and Lois Robinson York. He graduated from HLV High School with the class of 1965. Lee managed the Imperial Gas Station in Ladora, worked for Amana Refrigeration as a brazer, later Weland Labs and Hy-Vee Isles Online as a driver.

On July 23, 2002, Lee married Julie Evans, and Lee inherited a daughter Jessica and Julie welcomed two son's Chad and Brian from Lee's previous marriage to Sandy Nail. Lee and Julie loved each other unconditionally for nearly 22 years.

Lee and Julie enjoyed golfing, bowling, wood working, music and collecting vinyl records. They frequented flea markets where he would snatch up any antique oil lantern he could find to repurpose and electrify to gift to his family and friends. Lee loved his family dearly and enjoyed every moment spent with them and looked forward to the York Family Christmas. Lee may have appeared stubborn or opinionated but his family and friends knew him as a loving and caring man with the heart of a teddy-bear.

Lee is survived by his wife, Julie; children, Chad (Jamie) York, Brian (Vicki) York, and Jessica (Damien) Fairbanks; brothers, Royce (Magi) York, Keith (Debbie) York, twelve grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and Sandy Kruse, his former wife and lifelong friend. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Ross York; and one brother-in-law, Chandler Evans.

The family extends a special thanks to CVICU nurses and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for their exceptional care and compassion. Lee provided one final gift of life as an organ donor with Iowa Donor Network.