Lee Franklin Young, age 92, of Lawrence, KS, passed away August 30 at his residence in Neuvant House surrounded by his three children and beloved granddaughter.
A funeral service will be held at 5pm Thursday, September 6, at First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, with Rev. Kent Winters-Haselton officiating.
Lee was born in Syracuse, NY, to Lee Franklin Young and Helen Marie Young, on November 3, 1925. After graduating from Nottingham High School in Syracuse, Lee enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a sonar technician on a destroyer escort in WWII. He received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in a kamikaze attack during the Battle of Okinawa.
After the war, Lee attended Syracuse University on the GI Bill. He received a BA in American Studies in 1950. While working on the school yearbook he met the love of his life, Shirley Ann Evans. They married in Shirley’s hometown of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, on June 30, 1950. The young couple lived in and loved New York City, but relocated to Kansas City, MO, when Lee accepted a job in advertising. Within a couple of years, Lee took a job in magazine production and moved his growing family to Lake of the Forest, Edwardsville, Kansas, where he said he spent his happiest years.
Lee and his family made Lawrence their home when he was hired as an instructor to teach journalism in the advertising sequence at KU in 1964. Following a longtime dream, he completed a Master’s in Journalism at the university in 1967. He became an assistant professor in 1968, an associate professor in 1970, and a full professor in 1975. In addition to teaching advertising, Lee developed a sequence in magazine journalism, and at various times taught in the news-editorial and radio-television areas. His administrative responsibilities included: Director of the Midwest Journalism Camp, Chairman of the University Daily Kansan Board, and Director of the William Allen White Foundation. During his tenure at KU, Lee received the 1967 Hillteacher award, the 1969 H.Bernard Fink award for excellence in teaching, and the Mortar Board teaching award. He was seven times a finalist for the senior class’ H.O.P.E. teaching award, and the first holder of the William Allen White Distinguished Teacher Professorship in 1985. Lee twice served as acting Dean of the Journalism School, 1969-70 and 1985-86. In 1985, he was named as Distinguished Teaching Professor of Journalism.
He was a member of St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church in Edwardsville, KS, where he served as a senior warden and a lay reader. He joined the Trinity Episcopal church in Lawrence, and later became active in the First Presbyterian Church. Following his retirement he enjoyed volunteering at church, the Lawrence Community Theater, and with Audio-Reader. He loved to play golf, watch the Royals and rarely missed a KU basketball game.
Lee is preceded in death by parents, Lee and Helen Young, his bride, Shirley Evans Young, his beloved friend and son-in-law, David Wiebe, great granddaughter, Madrona Hartford, and great grandson, Quinn Brady.
He is survived by his children: Leslie Young, Catherine Little (Rodney), and Kenneth Young, sister Gwendolyn Kratz (Bill), sister-in-law Myrene Hoge (Sterling Sorrel); grandchildren: Graham Farris (Kelly), Kathelyn Young, Mark Wiebe (Anne), and Chris Wiebe; and great grandchildren: William Farris, Noah Brady, Sorrel Hartford, Wren Hartford, and Amber Hartford. Lee also leaves behind several nieces and nephews as well as cherished friends Doni Mooberry and Eva Alley.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Neuvant House, 1216 Biltmore Dr., Lawrence, KS, 66049, or Heartland Hospice, 2231 SW Wanamaker Rd., S 202 Topeka, KS, 66614.
The family wishes to extend its deep gratitude to the staff at Neuvant House, who provided Lee with a loving home for the last three years of his life. Additionally, the support and services provided by the staff at Heartland Hospice made it possible for Lee to remain in the home he loved during the final weeks of his life.
The family is honoring Lee’s wish to have his body donated to the Department of Anatomy, University of Kansas Medical Center.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Lee Young was such a wonderful professor and person. I know how much he cherished his family and how much he will be missed by all who interacted with him.
Professor Young was my mentor, thesis adviser, teaching colleague and, ultimately, friend. He was incredibly patient, encouraging and professional. He was one of the lions of the faculty, along with Dr. Pickett, Dr. Bremner, Dr. Brinkman and others. He also had a wicked sense of humor, and we used to share belly laughs regularly. A long-planned trip prevents me from attending his funeral service, but he will live in my heart and my memory for as long as I live. What a gentleman. What a teacher. What a marvel. I will miss him.
Lee Young and I were reading partners at Audio-Reader. Many interesting conversations and a lifetime of friendship. So very sorry to hear of his passing.
Dear family and friends: Permit me to share your sorrow over Lee’s passing and over your joy in having known and loved him.
Sincerely,
Mike Wolf, for the Nottingham H.S. Class of 1943
I only really knew Lee Young through his three children, whom I am so lucky to call my friends. Leslie, Cathy and Kenny are all so lovely, smart, generous, kind and fun that you know they were raised by good people. God speed, Mr. Young – you left a wonderful legacy. Peace and love to all your family.
I was devastated this morning to learn of Professor Young’s death; he was my counselor in the early 1970s at the William White School of Journalism. I worked as asst librarian in the journalism library with Jane Gunn in my last year, 1973, and his office was right next to the library. I used to spend a lot of time talking with him, and I still have my magazine project from that time with his wonderful comments notated on it. I always meant to find it to show him but, sadly, did not do it soon enough. When I went to work at Neuvant House in June 2016 as asst activities person in the evenings, five nights a week, I was delighted during my interview to find that Professor Young was a resident! What a wonderful coincidence. I wrote him several times before I started my job and afterwards, I spent many an afternoon or evening talking to him. He always told me he had a daughter named “Leslie,” he talked to me about his love for Forest of the Lakes, he spoke of his wife, his time in New York, how he got to Lawrence, his career which meant so much to him. I made a trip while working there to that private community of Lake of the Forest, took some pictures and brought them in to show him. I last saw him in June, I believe, and was planning on going in sometime in the near future as I am very busy as a caregiver for a 90 year old ex-librarian in N. Lawrence. Professor Young was a brilliant professor, counselor and an engaging delightful and terribly interesting man with whom to spend time. I was so fortunate to be able to spend my year at Neuvant House, five days a week, interacting with Professor Young. We often talked, too, of his time in the army, his children, his love of dancing, his beloved departed wife, and magazines (which I would bring in to him on a regular basis). He was always so happy to have something new to read! He spent many a night visiting with the rest of us, or with his good friend and fellow resident Beth (I know she will be crushed and lonely without his company). We would frequently sit outside, not speaking, but gazing at the stars and relishing the warm evenings and companionship, whenever possible. I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this wonderful, outstanding eloquent academe who encouraged me in my younger years, and more recently, in my older years, to be a better journalist and writer. I told Neuvant House administration when I was interviewing and did not know Professor Young was a resident how much he had helped shape my love for words and writing; I was, once again, elated to find I could be around him once again. Please know that, I as a former student who graduated in journalism/English in 1973, partly because of the great professors who helped me along the way, will always remember my time spent with Professor Young, not only in my young years at KU, but in my older years at Neuvant helping him to cope with the aging process that is never easy for any one of us–and to keep him company and enjoy our conversations once again but now, towards the end of his life. Professor Young meant a great deal to me, and I loved him. I will always regret not having seen him within these last few months as I had intended. He made such a huge difference in so many lives of his students and fellow colleagues, but I had that remarkable chance and opportunity to spend many memorable moments in our later years together, talking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Thank you, Professor Young. I will always remember and treasure my time spent with you. Godspeed and may you see once again your lovely wife and all your old friends from the University of Kansas community. You made all the difference in my life and for that, I will be forever grateful. I will miss you. I will never forget you. I will always regret never being able to say our final “goodbye.” Your family was lucky to have you as their dad. I was lucky to have had you twice in my life, as a mentor and finally, as a companion and friend.
Dear Leslie, first, please know how sorry I am for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful person, and a great father. Second, I didn’t know he taught at KU! I wish I had been here back then, so I could have met him. I could have learned a lot. I hope your memories, and the knowledge that you were a wonderful daughter bring you comfort at this sad time.
He did a great job , with your mom in raising some really awesome kids. Love to you all.