Harold Culberson York

Harold Culberson York, 97, of Sanford passed away Monday, January 17, 2022, at home surrounded by his family. Memorial services will be held Friday, February 4, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church at 2:00pm. Visitation will follow the service in the colonnade at First Presbyterian Church.

Harold was born in Vass, Moore Co. to the late William Earl York and Willie May Wooten York. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother William Earl York Jr. and wife Mary Ann York.

Harold was a graduate of Hugh Morrison High School class of 1942 in Raleigh, NC. After high school Harold served our country in the Army Air Corps during WWII based in India. He flew 77 missions as a crew member on a B-25 medium range bomber in the 12th bomb group. During his time in the Air Corps, he was promoted to SGT., was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

Harold was a hardworking, selfless man who made it his life’s mission to provide for his family, his church and community. After the war Harold worked at Rogers & Pickard Funeral Home where he met his beloved wife of 73 years, Lucille. Shortly after, he became a training officer at Stallings Air Base in Kinston, NC. Once the base transferred to Texas in 1957, Harold and Lucille returned to Sanford where he started to work at Hubbard’s Shoe Store.

Harold was a dedicated member of First Presbyterian church for over 60 years, where he served on the Child Development Board, taught Sunday school, was a deacon, an elder for many years and was awarded elder emeritus.

Harold will best be remembered for his loyalty to his family and for volunteer work. He was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his 32 years of devotion to Yokefellow Prison Ministries at Sanford Correctional Center. As coordinator he held weekly meetings, sponsored eligible inmates in local activities such as transporting them to visit family and promoted the ministry’s mission by explaining purpose and needs to churches and civic groups. Harold was also named Volunteer of the Year for SAC Jaycees and received the Distinguished Service Award numerous times.

Harold served as a volunteer in weekly reading programs at several elementary schools, served on the HAVEN board and served at the Lee County Courthouse for many years as needed.

He leaves behind his loving wife Lucille Howard York; his beloved daughter Catherine York Moessner and husband Roland Jean Moessner; granddaughter Rachel York Carlyle and husband Josh Blake Carlyle and son Coast Kelly Carlyle; granddaughter Cari Moessner Weston and husband Scott Paul Weston; grandson Damien Francois Moessner; niece Ann York Jones and husband Jimmy Jones and children Corey and Ashley Jones, Hadley Davis and Alex Todd; nephew Bill York III and wife Rhonda York and children Michele York Mattox and husband Chris Mattox and children Nolan and Graham Mattox, Chad York and wife Caroline York, Georgia York, Emerson and Taryn York Barringer and husband Justin Barringer and children Nicholas and Nathan Barringer and Jordan Hunt; niece Donna York Gilbert and husband Rich Gilbert and children Zach and Jake Gilbert.

The family asks that memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church of Sanford, 203 Hawkins Avenue, Sanford, NC 27330, or to the Children’s Home Society of NC, Attn: Accounting, PO Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415. The family and Church request that all attendees please wear a mask.