Lavon M Young

Born in Hawley, Texas January 4, 1919, Lavon moved to Abilene with his family in 1924, attended schools in Abilene, Tx. and graduated from Abilene High School.

He joined the U.S. Army in May, 1941, and following training, served in Northern Ireland and England. As head of a Signal Service Group in the 827th, Lavon was instrumental in installation of a 1000 watt transmitter to relay information from Newfoundland to the states. He also served in the installation of two 50,000 watt transmitters, the largest the U.S. Army had in England at that time. The research and work done at that enabled them to send pictures and telegraph images back to the states. Lavon received the Bronze Star medal for his accomplishments and received a field commission as a Lieutenant. He left the service in 1945, and moved back to Abilene where he worked and installed telephone equipment for AT &T, and then later went into the real estate business with his dad, V.W. Young.

L.M. married Lady Jane Anderson on August 23, 1946. They resided in Abilene where Lavon continued to work in real estate and oil business. He worked in association with Harding Bros. Oil and Gas, operating wells in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, and later worked as an independent oil operator for 58 years during which he drilled and operated over 300 wells. Lavon was a member of the West Central Oil and Gas Association and Independent Oil Producer’s Association where he served as area director as well as representing them in Washington. He was a member of The Petroleum Club of Abilene, serving as Director and President in 1974. He served as a Director for First State Bank and was a partner in the formation of the Bank of Kerrville.

Lavon and Lady Jane lived in Brownwood during the latter years of his career, operating leases in Brown and McCulloch counties. Following retirement, L.M. worked with partners in real estate development prior to returning to Abilene in 2007.

Married sixty four years, L.M. and Lady Jane seldom missed an opportunity to dance to an orchestra and travel the world with their good friends, often establishing a Navy Club in every port they visited. He was a generous man with an amazing positive attitude in any situation. Lavon will be missed by many loved ones but his legacy will live on through his wonderful children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Odell Young. Survivors include his wife Lady Jane Young of Abilene; son Gary Young and wife Natalie of Abilene; daughter Nancy Wilkinson and husband Lynn of Abilene; four grandchildren Randy Young and wife Tiffany of McAllen, TX, Andrea Key and husband Simon of McKinney, TX, Byron Wilkinson and wife Sherry of Sugarland, TX and Shanna Crane and husband Jeff also of Sugarland.

Private burial services will take place first with the funeral service to begin at 1:00p.m., on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at the 1st Central Presbyterian Church, 400 Orange St. The family will receive friends at a visitation Wednesday night from 6 to 7:30p.m. at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory. The grandchildren will be pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Texas Rehab, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605 or to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 903, Abilene, TX 79604.