Funeral services for Don Young, 82, Lawrence, will be private. A public committal service will take place at 3 pm Saturday, Feb. 12th at Stony Point Cemetery, rural Douglas County, Kansas. Don passed away Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, at LMH Health.
Donald Wayne Young was born to Kenneth and Nadine (Payton) Young on December 5th, 1939 in Marshfield, Missouri. He went to Nation School in Marshfield, Missouri up until high school. He attended part of high school in Seymour, Missouri then graduated from East High in Wichita, Kansas.
On August 23rd, 1957, he married Dianne Howell in a church in Wichita, Kansas. To their union three children were born: Kenneth, and twins, Dawn and David.
Don and Dianne moved many times throughout their lifetime together. They first lived in Wichita, Kansas where he worked at Allen Concrete. In 1960, he began his career of working in the electrical field when he was employed with KG&E. In 1962, he moved to Fort Scott and then worked in various locations until 1986 as a Construction Lineman. In 1986, he began working for KP&L/Westar Energy in Lawrence, Kansas. Around 1994, he became a supervisor for them until his retirement in 2000. He and Dianne then moved to Franklin, Tennessee. A life-long lover of country music, he enjoyed being near the Grand Ole Opry and all the sights and sounds of Nashville. Though far away he never stopped rooting for the Kansas Jayhawks. In 2014, they moved to Springfield, Missouri where they enjoyed spending time with his only sister, Marian, who lived nearby. In 2019, they moved to Lawrence, Kansas.
Don had a knack for telling stories and a special ability to make people laugh by his quick-witted humor. He had a warmth about him that drew people in. He could make friends with anyone.
In May of 1979, Don was confronted with his need for a Savior and in humility of heart accepted Christ’s payment for his sin. His decision affected Dianne, as she had been saved at seven years old but never had anyone to teach her more. They found a church and were taught by an older believer who helped them understand God’s Word. They became passionate about their decision to serve the Lord. It had a ripple affect to all around them, including their children. Don never got over God’s grace and love. His gratitude to Jesus was obvious throughout the rest of his life; in how he lived and in what he said. Don Young was glorified on February 1st, 2022 and is now face to face with his Savior.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dianne Young; his son Kenneth (Toni) Young of Fort Collins, Colorado; son David (Cindy) Young of Lawrence, Kansas and daughter Dawn (Mike) Wilson of Pleasant View, Tennessee; seven grandchildren, Summer (Jeffrey) Meyer, Kristen (Adam) Geyer, Cody Wilson, Jesse (Ashley) Wilson, Shannon (Kyle Robinson) Beemer, Jessie (Seth) Jamison, and Jayden Young; 14 great grandchildren; brother-in-law Robert (Naomi “Beeâ€) Howell; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Nadine Young; sister Marian Slack; his in-laws, Floyd and Nina Howell; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Darla and Jim Mortensen and brother-in-law Bill Howell.
We were so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was a wonderful patient. May his memory forever be a blessing.
Don was an exceptional Uncle in every way, and every family reunion was greatly enriched by his presence and amazing character. The twinkle in his eye when he thought he had you hood-winked was one of his most endearing and signature moves…..you just couldn’t help but fall in love with his jovial and entertaining disposition. I will forever love him and miss him…..my thoughts and prayers are with my Aunt Dianne and family, may our Lord surround you with peace and comfort during this most difficult time.
Hey David and Cindy. Sorry to hear of Don’s passing and know he will be missed here and every place else where he touched other peoples lives. Hope all is well with you in this your time of sorrow and grief. Y’all take care now and I know he will be missed in our little community as well.
Don was the best brother-in law a person could have. Although we never lived in the vicinity if each other, the times we were together were some of the better moments in my memory. His levity was beyond description. He was very observant and you could tell when he had an opinion but he kept it to himself not wishing to give offense. I can honestly say that I have never met a person with greater empathy or Christian regard. I was always proud to call him my Brother-in-law.
I came to know Don as a friend of my dad way back in 1962 when they moved to Ft. Scott. Over the years the Young family became like a second family to all of us Bailey’s, and Don like a second dad. Don and my dad were pranksters, second to none. From Kansas, to Minnesota, to Colorado, then back to Kansas…….we all did our share of travels. Wherever we were, Don was always looking out for me and my brothers and sister, just as he did his own kids. Later in life, we didn’t have the opportunity to see other as much as I would have liked, but I always enjoyed when the phone would ring letting me know he was in the area dropping off a car. I will miss those short calls. To Dianne, Ken, David and Dawn, your loss is ours too. Please know that we are holding you in our thoughts and prayers. Though Don will be missed, we can take comfort in knowing he has earned his reward. I love you all.
We want to say words of comfort to you Dianne and family, but know your faith and love for each other will
carry you. Don was full of life and the two of you let others into that circle of life. Friends became family and your family became friends. You both became messengers of love and now those memories and our continual love for you will keep our hearts open.
Don’s brother-in-love,
Jack and Phyllis