Meredith Garrett York was born in Round Rock, Texas, on September 21, 1912, to Milton Garrett York and Jo Ida Holland. Meredith had three siblings; Maner Holland York, Christopher Lafayette York, and Dora Blanche York.

In 1925, York received his Teachers Permanent Certificate at Sam Houston State Teachers College and received his Bachelor of Science in 1935. During his time at SHSTC, York participated in football and track- where he became a three-year letterman, debate, and Glee Club- where he sang a solo at his 1935 graduation commencement, and he was the Vice-President of his senior class. He went on to complete his Master of Arts in 1947 at the University of Houston.

In 1947, Meredith Garrett York married Miriam Korff. Miriam was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 19, 1918. She attended the University of Houston, where she received her bachelor's in 1943 and her master's in 1947. In 1959, she attended SHSTC.

Meredith became a teacher and a coach for football, basketball, and track at Timpson, Corrigan, Granger, Humble, Bellville, and Caldwell High Schools. After teaching and coaching, Meredith served as a public school supervisor for Austin County from 1959 - 1961 and a county school superintendent of Lee County from 1965- 1974.

As an alumnus of SHSTC, Meredith was a member of the Alumni Association and served as vice president.

In 1977, Meredith was named to the Athletic Hall of Honor at Sam Houston State University.

In 1983, Meredith York was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award before his death.

The Yorks contributed more than half a million dollars to Sam Houston and the Bearkat track and field program over the years. On May 1, 2004, the Meredith and Miriam York Track and Field Complex was rededicated in honor of their contribution to the university. Along with the rededicated of the complex, two scholarships in the track program were established in Meredith's honor (one is titled The Meredith Garrett York Memorial). The complex includes a throwing center and areas for track and field events.

Meredith Garrett York, 70, died on August 12, 1983, and Miriam Korff York, 88, died on August 28, 2006. Meredith and Miriam are buried together in Giddings City Cemetery, Giddings, Texas.