Donald Eugene Young (72) January 17, 1936 – June 21, 2008
Don Young, who lived his life in service to others, died June 21, 2008 in Greeley, CO.
Don, 72, was born in Denver, CO to parents William and Helen Young, who ministered in the Assembly of God church and after a childhood in the Snyder, CO area, he chose to carry on his family legacy of bringing people to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. He became a pastor and held Assembly of God ministry positions in Minnesota, Colorado and Wyoming until the early 60's when he turned to another career of service to people, becoming a firefighter in Laramie, WY, and rising to Fire Chief before retiring in 1987.
Lorna Young, his devoted wife of 52 years, their family, friends and Don's brotherhood of firefighters from Wyoming, Colorado and across the nation will celebrate his life in a memorial service in Laramie, WY on Friday, June 27 at 1 p.m. at the First Christian Church, located at 2130 Garfield Street. The interment graveside services will be at Sunset Gardens in Greeley, CO and are private to the family.
Among Don's last wishes was that in lieu of flowers people make donations to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in Emmitsburg, MD (www.firehero.org).
Don's top priorities in his life were God, his wife, his family, and his fellowman. He loved the Lord and if not for voice problems early in his ministry he would likely have preached until his death. His ministry was blessed by a gift of music. He inspired congregations with his singing, and his accompaniment through the years was primarily provided by his wife, Lorna, or his sisters. He will be remembered by many for his singing in church services, weddings and funerals, even through his career in the fire service and into retirement.
Don actually had two retirements. After a long career in the Laramie Fire Department he briefly retired but then returned to the life saving profession in Cody, WY, where he became the Cody Fire District Manager. His service in Cody included helping manage the clean up of the devastating Yellowstone National Park fire in 1988 that also spread to the outskirts of Cody.
His ministry and fire service were not his only passions or civic duties. He was elected to the Albany County School Board and wherever he resided, he loved the local sports. In Laramie he broadcasted University of Wyoming, Laramie Senior High School, and Air Force Academy sports with long-time radio voice, Gene Benson. He coached Little League baseball teams in Laramie, WY, and in his recent retirement years in Fort Lupton, CO, he fell in love with the Blue Devils wrestling team at Fort Lupton High School, who adopted him as a team member.
Don was a fierce fast pitch softball pitcher as an adult in Wyoming and a gifted high school athlete, as well. He attended Snyder High School in Snyder, CO, played basketball, and baseball with a band of "Baker Boys", and once set a record during the conference track and field championships in the pole vault with a borrowed pole, and no prior pole vaulting experience before the meet.
Don is survived by his wife, Lorna of Greeley, CO, and four children, Mark and wife Linda of Casper, WY; Dawn Marchant and husband Brent of Greeley, CO; Bill and wife Lori of Littleton, CO; Brent and wife Gretchen of Cheyenne, WY. He would want it known that he loved his son-in-law and three daughter-in-laws as much as his own children and cherished them as his own. He leaves 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Dolores Cox of Tempe, AZ; Dorothy Jean Leis of Merino, CO; and Dianne Littlefield of Eaton, CO; and his mother-in-law, Catherine Knaus of Greeley, CO. He was preceded in death by his dad, William Young; his mother, Helen Wolever; a step-father, Scott Wolever; a brother, Paul Wolever; and his son, Bradley.