Ruth Kenoyer Young

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Ruth Kenoyer Young. Ruth passed away on April 12th, 2026 at age 74 at her home in Auberry, California. Ruth was born February 6, 1952, in Porterville, California, to Cecil and Hazel Kenoyer. Ruth was the youngest of three children, with an older brother Ken, and an older sister Ferral.

Ruth spent her early years in Porterville and Lindsay, CA. She attended Olive Street Elementary school, Lincoln Junior High, and graduated from Lindsay High School in 1970. Ruth was a high school cheerleader, on the homecoming court, an Orange Blossom Festival attendant and a Job’s Daughter Honor Queen. After high school, she attended College of the Sequoias in Visalia for two years and then headed for the Central Coast. She enjoyed beach life, living in Cayucos while attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and eventually meeting her husband Tim through the wonderful friends they shared. Ruth and Tim were married in 1975 in Morro Bay, CA and two years later moved to Tim’s childhood home of Shaver Lake, CA. Ruth went on to graduate from Fresno State with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology, and served as a Probation Officer in both San Luis Obispo and Fresno. Ruth and Tim started their family in 1977 with the birth of their son Creed and followed in 1979 with daughter Carli. Being a mom was the highlight of her life, that is, until she became a grandma! Ruth and Tim partnered on many business adventures including a bakery in Auberry and a sporting goods store in Shaver. She then brought the same diligence and care to her work in many positions with Sierra Unified School District. In every season of life, she was known for her commitment, ability to enjoy laughter with others, and the thoughtful way she approached everything.

Ruth loved being outdoors in the warm weather; gardening around the house, mowing the grass, having a putting contest with the grandkids, or sampling Tim’s latest BBQ flavor. She was a member of the Eagle Springs Women’s Golf Club where she met new friends in her retirement years and learned to love the game of golf. She treasured traveling to fun and exciting places with her dear friends from childhood and loved a family vacation to anywhere near or far. Beach time with friends and family in Cayucos, and lake time on Shaver in Dorabelle Cove were two of her favorite places that were sure to bring a smile to her face.

Ruth loved being a part of the mountain community and everything it has to offer. Ruth was a founding member of the Mountain Community Recreation Foundation, supporting various sports and activities in the foothill communities near Auberry, as well as coaching her children during their time in youth sports. As a Nana, Ruth was truly her grandsons’ biggest fan, a staple in the stands of any game they played, she cheered consistently and made sure they knew that Nana was proud of them.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Tim Young of Auberry, California; her son, Creed Young (Jessica) of Clovis, California; her daughter, Carli Walker (Ryan) of Auberry, California; her sister, Ferral Hubbard (Bob) of Camp Nelson, California; and her grandsons, Wyatt and Cody Young, and Blake and Bretz Walker. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Hazel (Smith) Kenoyer, and her brother, Ken Kenoyer. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, May 14 at 11:30am at the Shaver Lake Community Center, 41344 Tollhouse Rd, Shaver Lake, CA 93664.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org/dignitymemorial) or the Mountain Community Recreation Foundation c/o MCRF, PO Box 171, Prather, CA 93651.