Eric York, 66

Eric Michael York, avid outdoorsman and business owner of Urban Mining Depot in Coeur d’Alene, passed away suddenly during morning coffee at his Sanders Beach home on Aug. 31. Eric leaves a great many family members, a diverse group of friends, sportsmen, colleagues and devoted fans missing him far and wide. He was 66. 

Eric’s last few days were robust as usual and included a successful North Idaho Pike Association fishing tournament with his fishing partner Brian Smith. He also celebrated the opening day of ruffled grouse season by taking his senior German Shorthaired Pointer, LeBosun, and near-year-old Braque Saint-Germain puppy, Aslan, on a practice run. He returned with great tales to share at a dinner he made for his partner of 27 years, Diana, and visiting friends that night. On the menu were country-fried pork chops and gravy, home-grown mashed potatoes and homemade apple sauce. Eric did it all and enjoyed sharing every moment. 

Eric was born on Nov. 8, 1959, to Paul and Evelyn Lucille York in Santa Maria, Calif. His mother noticed early that her second son was drawn to animals, nature, woods and streams, where he truly blended his spirit with the creatures he encountered. She recalled the time Eric found a baby possum while out exploring and that he brought it home, where it lived on his shoulder for a full three weeks. She was asked if she ever told him he couldn’t keep it much longer, and she answered, “Oh, I would never do that.” Eric had his first true fan in his mother, that was clear.

The Yorks and their four children, now including twin girls, moved from California to Richardson, Texas, in 1971. Eric embraced all that his new wild spaces had to offer. He joined Future Farmers of America activities at his Plano High School farm and went on to show steers and hogs, and even served as a chicken judge on occasion. He graduated high school in 1978 and went on to attend Sol Ross University for two years and the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School later on, and became a certified farrier.

Returning to the Dallas area, Eric was a wrangler at a central Dallas horse stable, used his woodworking and cabinetry skills with homebuilding companies and lived on a ranch with friends, both the furry and human kind. He found his ‘second home’ in the historic and trendy Deep Ellum neighborhood. He enjoyed his club work there, eventually managing the July Alley establishment and later the Elm Street Bar throughout the ‘90s. They were creative and truly fun times for Eric, and he shared stories of love and laughter for years to come.

Eric paired up with his father, Paul, and moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1998 after visiting his brother, Dr. David York, and finding the area to be a sportsman’s dream. He worked as a cabinet installer for Unique Wood Cabinets and met “the best catch of his life,” Diana, at his 40th birthday party in 1999. Sharing a love of sailboats and horses, Eric and Diana grew together, bought their 1905-built home in 2002, and never looked back. Their home was a happy one and their garden much loved, filled over the years with unique plants and trees, three beloved GSPs, his BSG puppy Aslan, as many cats, a bird or two, aquariums, and a pond. No wonder it was rare to ever see Eric sitting down for a respite.

Always the man in motion, Eric followed an Idaho-driven career inspiration of becoming a gold miner through his 2012 launch of his company, Urban Mining Depot. He decided there could be more precious metals in populated electronics recycling streams than in a fabled creek or river, and off he went on his 15-year Urban Prospector adventure that was filled with success and love of the planet as well. He served his community faithfully, with clients including North Idaho College, Kootenai Health, Hecla Mining, Bonner County Solid Waste, the US Navy and regional law enforcement offices, among others. His legacy will continue through his talented partner, Chris Dorr, who continues to operate UMD in the spirit Eric intended. 

Fall was special to Eric because it meant the opening of hunting season. Throughout the years, he was able to harvest upland birds, elk, deer, his once-in-a-lifetime moose and even a black bear. Eric joined the North Idaho Pike Association and shared the 2011 Overall Season Championship with his fishing partner, Joe Raines, and continued as a member until his “Gone Fishing” moment last month.

Eric’s last year was highlighted by his love for his puppy, Aslan, who arrived from the Czech Republic in the arms of Diana, who knew it would be an affair to remember. They all enjoyed their cabin in Yahk, British Columbia, where Eric could let his dogs run free through the woods, open fields and along the shores of the Moyie River. Eric will be heartily missed by many, in fact all, who truly knew him.

Eric is survived by his mother Lucille York, life partner Diana Klybert, brother David (Laura) York, sisters Terri (Don) Livingston, Tracy (Lydia Miller), nephews Carson (Angela) York, Travis (Torin), Tyler (Dannie), Ben (Cami) and Luke Livingston, niece Taryn (Adam Butler) and seven great-nieces and great-nephews. 

For those wishing to celebrate Eric and share stories and toasts, a Grateful Gathering will be held on Eric’s 67th Birthday, Sunday, Nov. 8, from 3-6 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce, 105 N. 1st Street in Coeur d’Alene. Contact Diana at [email protected] for details and to RSVP.

    York