Obituary of Richard Young

YOUNG, Richard Kenneth (Ken) was born near Rudy, AR on September 23rd, 1922 the oldest child to Edgar W. Young and Minnie Wilson Young. He quietly passed from this life in the early afternoon of November 26th, 2009 in Tulsa, OK at the age of 87. Another ray of light has flickered out in the setting sun of America's Greatest Generation. Having sustained permanent hearing loss due to scarlet fever at age 2, Ken's disability raised the bar for many of his life's challenges. Having grown up in Fort Smith, AR, he graduated from Fort Smith High School in the Class of 1942. Poor hearing notwithstanding, he readily answered the call when he received his induction notice in January 1943. Ken served in the US Army Air Corps with honor until his separation due to his hearing in August 1943. He continued to contribute to the victory effort taking a job in the Goodyear Tire plant in Torrance, CA for the duration of the war. After the war, Ken attended Fort Smith Junior College, now UA Fort Smith, before moving to Tulsa in 1948. He attended Draughon's Business School in Fort Smith and the University of Tulsa taking business courses. In 1948 Ken was hired by American Airlines where he worked in the accounting department. On September 3rd, 1950 Ken married Elsie Lorine Clark. The couple resided in Tulsa for the duration of their marriage. Ken and Elsie were members of Eastwood Baptist Church and later Immanuel Baptist Church. Ken resigned his position with American Airlines in 1962 and was hired by First National Bank and Trust Company of Tulsa. He was supervisor of the credit card division and, in the latter part of his tenure at First National, was custodian of the data tape library until his retirement in 1985. Ken was active in the Tulsa Deaf Lion's Club until his retirement and was a part time employee for the Tulsa Fair Grounds, working in the concessions cash room. After the death of his wife in 1997, Ken married Thelma E. King. Ken possessed a genuine love for the game of baseball, as well as sports in general. He was a fan of the Tulsa Oilers as well as their parent club, the St. Louis Cardinals. In later years Ken became a fan of the Atlanta Braves. He also thoroughly enjoyed coaching peewee baseball when his two sons were players. For many years he played softball in church and business leagues and became an umpire when he could no longer play. Having ushered many TU football games at Skelly Stadium, Ken also followed OU and Oklahoma State football. Ken is survived by his wife, Thelma, his two sons Charles Richard (Chuck) Young and wife Nancy of Claremore; Stan Allen Young and wife Mary of Tulsa; and by three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his sister, Sue Ella Young of La Jolla, CA and his nephew, Stanley J. Moorman of Edmond, OK. Please join us for a memorial remembrance and celebration of the life of a wonderful man and a serene reflection on our life with him at 2:00 PM Monday, November 30th at the Ninde Brookside Chapel with family visitation 4:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday. Ninde Brookside Chapel 918.742.5556 www.ninde.com