John B. Young

  Loyal, dedicated, and determined, are the words that describe John Benjamin Young.  He was a man whose work ethic was accented by his discipline and perseverance.  John was called home on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 27, 2015.  He was born 53 years after the Civil War, on August 26, 1918, the son of Robert and Mary (Johnson) Young.  Under the backdrop of the post civil war era and World War II, John made sure that wife, family, church, business, country, and home were all important elements in his life and he imparted lessons and values from these experiences to everyone he met.

  John was married at the age of 22 to Addie (Lemmon) Young, and three children were born from this union.  He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and ensured that they were educated in an integrated environment rather than the segregated South.  As the head of his household, he was a model for his family.  His characteristics of consistency and loyalty are still being emulated to this day.  Following Addie's stroke, and for the last 15 years of her life, John was her primary care person, once again an illustration of his family values.

   John served his country in World War II even though the social climate of the southern region was controlled by Jim Crow (which was the "separate but equal" doctrine of the time).  As an airplane mechanic for the Army he served his country with pride and vigor for three years.  After being honorably discharged from the military, he began a career as a laborer.  Forced to leave his employment he found himself without many resources, and with a need to feed his family, John launched his entrepreneurial enterprise which was successful for over 25 years.

  John was a loyal church member and supported his church with his time, talent, and treasure.  He taught Sunday school, was on various boards and committees, and was the Conference Lay Leader for the Western Mass District of the United Methodist Church.  His home was his castle and a place for family gatherings.  All were always welcome at his home.  He set the standard for curb appeal before that was a buzz word of our time.

  He was married for 62 years and was pre-deceased by his wife Addie.  He leaves to celebrate his homegoing, his three children, Benjamin Harold Young and Ruby (Young) Kelly, both of Springfield, and John Robert Young of Denver, CO;  a daughter-in-law, Barbara J. Young;  a son-in-law, Eddie M. Gearing;  four grandchildren, Benjamin Jr. and his wife Taara of Erial, NJ, John Jr. of Cincinnati OH, Shereese of Springfield, and James Jr. and his wife Yuland of Baltimore, MD;  five great-grandchildren, Luke (EJ), Selaya, Justin, Arielle, and Alexandria;  and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, church, and extended family.

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