WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Thomas W. Young, age 92, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday morning, Aug. 8, 2010, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
He was born Oct. 16, 1917, in East Rochester, N.Y., a son of the late Elijah and Mary (Kettler) Young.
Tom had resided in Sturgis since 2006, coming from Akron, where he had lived for more than 40 years.
He married his wife Jessica during the war in 1942 and they enjoyed a full life together for 64 years until her death on Jan. 1, 2007.
He was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II with Company C Second Engineer School Regiment, earning the rank of captain in the U.S. Corp of Engineers.
After the war, he graduated from the University of Rochester with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Following more than 30 years of dedicated employment with the B.F. Goodrich Tire Company, he retired in 1980. At the time of his retirement, he held the position of director of technical services.
Tom and Jessica were active members of Saint Sebastian Catholic Church in Akron, and upon moving to Sturgis they became members of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Stan Hywet Hall and the Men’s Garden Club.
Tom was an avid reader and enjoyed walking on a regular basis. After retirement, he and Jessie traveled throughout the United States and abroad and also played golf often.
He is survived by two sons, Thomas W. and Valerie (Peppercorn) Young of Norwood, N.C., and David and Donna (Maddox) Young of Sturgis; four grandsons, Tommy Young III of Brooklyn, N.Y., Luke Young of Raleigh, N.C., and Conner Young and Alex Young, both of Sturgis.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. Private burial of the ashes will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes Hackman in Sturgis is handling the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Young’s memory consider the Holy Angels Catholic Church, 402 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091 or the Sturgis District Library, 255 North St., Sturgis, MI 49091.
