jˈɔːɹk wʌz bˈɔːɹn ɪn ɹˈʊɹɹəl sˈaʊθiːst ˌæləbˈæmə ænd fɹʌm tʃˈaɪldhʊd ʃˈoʊd ɐ stɹˈɔŋ ˈɪntɹɛst ɪn sˈaɪəns fˈɪkʃən, fˈæntəsi ænd spˈeɪs ɛksploːɹˈeɪʃən.
York was born in rural southeast Alabama and from childhood showed a strong interest in science fiction, fantasy and space exploration.