This is getting to be a pretty common occurrence....
Xochitl Peña
The Desert Sun
July 26, 2006
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Darren York, 43, former Indio Planning Commissioner and son of Indio
pioneers Doug and Linda York, died Sunday in Mountain Center while
engaging in one of his favorite past-times - mountain-biking.
An adventurer who worked hard and played hard, Darren York, was biking
with friends along the Hurkey Creek Trail when he either passed out,
fainted or had some type of heart trouble, said Lorraine York, his
high school sweetheart and wife of 23 years.
"He's just a very loving and giving person. Darren was always one to
stop and help others," she said Tuesday.
Darren York was president and owner of Meredith & Simpson Construction
Co., an Indio-based family business, which notably built the huge
Mathis Brothers Furniture store on Highway 111 in Indio.
"He was one of the most honest young guys. His integrity was very
important to him," said Del Francis, owner of World Fire Protection, a
fire sprinkler contractor that has done business with the York family
for over 25 years.
Darren York started helping out with the family business when he was 9
years old, said Lorraine, and eventually took over the company from
his father, Doug York.
A lover of the outdoors, Darren York was also an off-road racer,
racing trucks and cars, and loved to snow ski and water ski.
He served on the Indio Planning Commission in 2003 and 2004.
"He taught us so much," said Lorraine York.
"He touched a lot of people's lives. The most important thing to
Darren was (me) and his three daughter. He lived for us and supported
us in whatever we wanted to do," she said.
Darren York is survived by his parents, Doug and Linda York; his
sister, Deborah Eby; his wife, Lorraine; and three daughters Deanna,
20, Danae, 18 and Deidre, 15.
Biking was a family affair for the Yorks, Darren York often traied on
the Bump-and-Grind trail with his daughters, all whom have competed in
mountain bike races.
Danae is a member of the United States Mountain biking team.
"We all ride bikes together," said Lorraine.
FitzHenry Funeral Homes is arranging funeral services.
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I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
humans ("pure habitat"😉. Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)