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.
