Keenan Montgomery York

Keenan Montgomery York, 58, of Valdese, passed away peacefully on Tuesday October 7, 2025 at Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a period of declining health.

Keenan was born on December 25, 1966 in Burke County, NC, on Christmas Day and was a true gift to the world, bringing joy and light to those around him. Being born on Christmas Day, a time of giving, Keenan embodied that spirit throughout his life, always wanting to help those who were hungry and in need of food. He taught us the importance of patience, understanding and unconditional love. Keenan’s memory will be cherished by all who knew him. Keenan lived in Burlington at the 6th Street DDA for over 30 years with his “daddy Curtis” Torain; and for the past 3 years, prior to his illness, he walked in the Alamance County CROP walk, raising an enormous amount of money for the hungry.

Those left to cherish his memory include his mother, Linda Keenan Brackett and step-father John of Valdese; his father, Cecil Ross York of Greensboro; his aunts and uncles, Ellen Keenan Walker of Graham; Richard and Faye Gibson of Liberty, NC, Pam Frazier of Virginia, Jerry and Christine Brackett Walker of Knoxville, TN; also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews; Andi Keenan Metts, Mike Keenan and wife Morgan, Jackie Cook Shoffner and Jimmy Cook, all of whom live in the Graham/Burlington area, and Jennifer Walker Rattican and husband Chris of Los Angeles, CA, Anna Walker Castleberry and husband Jeff of Knoxville, TN and Ann Jennifer Walker of Nashville TN.  Also survivng are nine great-nieces and nephews from the Burlington area, one is California, two in Knoxville, TN and one in Liberty.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joseph Riley Keenan and Dorothy Fogleman Keenan; and his paternal grandparents, Cecil and Vera Faulkner York; his aunt, Susan Keenan Cook; and his uncle, Robert Maurice Keenan.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday October 25, 2025 at Waldensian Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Matt Matthews and Rev. Rachel Matthews officiating.

A receiving of friends and reception will follow the service in Pioneer Hall, at Waldensian Presbyterian Church.

A private family interment will be held at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alamance County CROP Hunger Walk, payable to CWS/Crop and mailed to First Street Methodist Church, 345 W. Front St., Burlington, NC 27215 to the attention of David Hedgecock, or the Community Assistance Ministry (CAM) at Waldensian Presbyterian Church, 109 Main Street East, Valdese, NC 28690; or the ALS Foundation at als.org.

Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is serving the family.