Eulogy


Donald J. Young
Don Young was born on January 27, 1932, in Roseville, Michigan, to Arthur and Lillian (Dettloff) Young. He was one of seven children (Dorothy, Art, Margaret, Bob, Ken and Ruth). First-born Dorothy passed away in childhood. He graduated from Roseville High School in 1950, where he played football, served on the student council and was vice president of his graduating class. During summer breaks he did whatever he could to earn money. If the money was greenhe took the job, including working at a bottling company and on the famous Bob-Lo boats ferrying passengers to the amusement park on the Canadian side of the Detroit River. 
There was an airport at the end of Hoffmeyer Street, so the Young boys often washed airplanes in exchange for rides aloft in biplanes. Their tough-mixed-breed-dog Butch also played with used airplane tires in the backyard and pulled the children on sleds in the winter. Behind their home were woods, where the boys played, camped, hunted pheasants with sticks and where Don once kicked over a hornet's nest and spent a few days in bed recovering. 
Don also spent some of his summers working at his cousin's Goodreau Farm in Tilbury, Ontario (not far from Lake St. Clair). It was a massive operation and the house's dinner table could seat 20 people. During the Great Depression when Don's father was laid off, the Goodreaus offered to provide the Young family with their own farm in Tilbury. Don heard the conversation sitting at that great table. Don's paternal grandfather was Andrew Young, a Great Lakes sailor, from Carthage, New York, who married Mary Goodreau in Chatham, Kent County, Ontario. They raised Don's father and his siblings in Alpena, Michigan. Grandma Mary lived into her 90s and Don was home on leave and with her in the hospital when she passed away. Don remembered her saying, Donnie, I'm just tired.
Don joined the U.S. Navy in 1951, earned his combat crewman wings and trained as a mechanic/flight engineer. He flew Lockheed P2V Neptune search-and-rescue missions and reconnaissance missions for Blue Goose Navy Patrol Squadron 22 in Hawaii and Alaska during the Korean conflict and Cold War. He sat in the cockpit between and just behind the pilots. He had a bird's eye view and monitored all the gauges and dials. He overhauled, tested and was responsible for the plane's engines. He also worked on many other planes, jets and helicopters. His favorite phase of an overhaul was the test flight to check the engine. Everything the Navy was flying, Don flew on. He also enjoyed volunteering for his crew on the firing range. There were M-1s, BARs, 45s, 38 Specials and Thompson Submachine Gunsplus unlimited ammunition. His patrol plane carried a rack of Thompsons next to the parachutes.
His missions above the Arctic Circle were particularly dangerous, whether mapping and painting icebergs for shipping or tracking Russian fishing trawlers equipped with spy electronics. His crew captain once flew over the Soviet border in the Bering Straits and was met by a pair of Russian fighters. As the Navy repeatedly said, if a plane goes down in the Arctic, we don't have anything that can fly that far and get you. In the frigid water, survival suits only provided five minutes of life. 
Don also had many fun adventures in the Navy and was featured with Navy buddies in Hawaii for a Detroit area newspaper. During a brief liberty in Nashville in dress blues, the Grand Ole Opry gave him a front-row seat for the show and he appeared on camera. On Armistice Day during an open house at the base, he was able to speak with his parents from Alaska via Ham radio operators who relayed the call. Flying over Alaska he radioed neighborhood friend Jim Wise, who was stationed at an Army base below. Jim asked where he was. Don said, Look up. During a holiday break, a Navy buddy from Los Angeles invited Don to stay with him and attend a wedding. Don wore a tuxedo and served as an usher. It was a Hollywood wedding and Actress Debbie Reynolds was one of the bridesmaids. On Alaska's Kodiak Island, he enjoyed salmon fishing, but he couldn't do it alone. Another person had to be with him carrying a rifle. There were huge Kodiak bears who might challenge the fisherman on ownership of the catch.
He was one of four brothers who served in the Navy, two in World War II. Two were in Naval Air and two were on ships. Don and his brothers Art, Bob and Ken were all Navy. In the early 1950s the brothers also started a continuing tradition for the Young familythe annual trip to Northern Michigan for deer hunting, mostly in the rugged Upper Peninsula. Don continued to hunt with his brothers, nephews, sons, son-in-law Rick and grandson Richie into his 80s. He loved adventure and seeing what's over the next ridge. Even late in life, he could be found deep in the woods marveling at giant trees, signs of past lumbering, charred stumps from forest fires and tracking wildlife. He once fell into a beaver dam and had to dry by the fire. Uncle Bob's cabin in Trout Creek, which he helped to build with his brothers, nephews and extended family, was like a second home. 
After the Navy, Don briefly attended Wayne State University and worked at U.S. Rubber Company, now Uniroyal, eventually specializing in aircraft tires. Don obtained that job by a chance encounter. He was looking at a rack of airplane tires during a break and a company man asked if he knew what he was looking at. Don responded he knew all about them and had changed them many times. Mentioned you have to look for flat wear marks from landings.
He met the love of his life at the Deer Hunter's Lodge in Detroit and married Christine Nasto in June 1957 at the small Catholic church behind the Nasto home on Arlington in Detroit (Chris' parents were from Macedonia, so she converted from Greek Orthodox to Catholicism). Together they had three children: Don, Valerie and Randy; and now have six grandchildren (Catie, Richie, Jennifer and Ashley on the Woonton side; and Ryan and Morgan Young). 
In 1958 Don was laid off from U.S. Rubber and was accepted into the next class for the Michigan State Police. Due to his wife's pregnancy with their first child, he could not wait for the class to begin in six months, so with a lead from former Navy buddy Ed Bruder, applied as a field engineer for NCR Corporation. Don was a wizard with anything mechanical, electrical or man-made. He often said, If someone put it together, it can be fixed. His favorite advice was, If something doesn't work, think of the simplest possible reason why and start there. 
At NCR, he rose rapidly and became the district's youngest manager in his mid-30s. He served numerous cash register, ATM and computer clients throughout his career, including military installations with his top security rating. The district manager once called him into the office and asked him what he did in the Navy. Don asked, Why do you want to know? His boss said they had a new government maintenance contract and contacted corporate in Dayton to ask for someone with security clearance and training. Dayton replied that the Detroit office already had someone with the highest federal security clearance they had ever seen at NCRDon Young. 
In the 1970s, NCR sent him to run the Ann Arbor office and he made the long commute for a few years. The territory included Pontiac. After that, he turned down NCR offers to run Saginaw and Las Vegas operations. He finished his work at NCR heading ATM installations and maintenance in Southeastern Michigan, serving banking customers. NCR invented the ATM. A favorite story is Don working with NCR management colleague Vince Old. They occasionally covered phone calls for each other. More than one customer thought each was joking when asking for Vince Old, but instead reaching Don Young, or vice versa. For nearly 20 years, he met with fellow NCR retirees every Tuesday morning at a Detroit area McDonalds. Don knew the NCR retirement agreement frontwards and backwards, so he frequently was asked for explanations, clarifications or advice.
Upon retirement from NCR at the age of 62, he began assisting his brother Ken with a new business venture, fulfilling custom orders for circuit boards. Together, they opened a shop in Fraser and the brothers worked the business until Ken's retirement several years later. The brothers worked, camped and hunted togetherthey were nearly inseparable. 
Don's passion was traveling with his camper, then his motor home. The Young family enjoyed many trips across the United States and Canada, including Florida, Smokey Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains, Rockies, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Custer Battleground, Badlands, Vermont, Quebec, Bay of Fundyand one fabulous trip with the Woonton family to Alaska. Don and Chris also took a memorable trip to Hawaii, including seeing his old Naval Air Station at Barber's Point. They also had many great trips to Texas to see Don Jr., Barbara and their family. 
Another passion was engaging with his children, such as coaching youth basketball, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and attending all the school functions. There were holiday shows, plays, choir concerts, talent shows, sporting events and graduations. Daddy Don also was the organizer for trips to son Don's football games for Kalamazoo College across Michigan. The Young family entourage included aunts, uncles, friends and Rick Woonton, son-in-law-to-be, from nearby Western Michigan University. 
As the family grew, Don and Chris were regular participants with the grandchildren both in Michigan and in Texas. Close to home there were football games for Richie at Anchor Bay, band concerts for Ashley, graduations for all the Woontons and a capstone Valedictory address. In Texas, there were Madrigal Christmas dinners in Katy near Houston, and Baylor Showtime productions in Waco with Ryan, plus a Christmas Concert with the Waco Symphony Orchestra; as well as Madrigals, Expressions concerts and travel hockey games with Morgan in Texas. Grandpa Don also saw Morgan play in Ann Arbor at U of M's Yost arena and at a tournament in the Detroit area. Events he couldn't see in Texas, he watched on DVD recordings. In the summer he and Chris often would sit on the porch and listen to recordings of his grandchildren singing through the screen door.
Don was a great patriot and there was no greater spokesperson for our country. He was an outspoken advocate for America long before tweets and social media. He had a razor-like memory and devoured each issue of The Wall Street Journal. His recall was near photographic. This ability undoubtedly gave him the fortitude to fight the onset of Alzheimer's disease like no other. Years of reading, doing his own taxes and daily exerciseeven walking laps in the basement during winterkept him sharp years into the affliction. In the week before his passing, he had all his family and many extended family near him for his and Chris' 60th wedding anniversary on Lake St. Clair. 
Before son Don and Barbara departed for their trip back to Texas, he told them clear as a bell, Both of you take care of yourselves. Don knew his family throughout his illness and that indeed has been a blessing. He was a great man, classmate, sailor, husband, father, uncle and grandfather. He was a great American. His daily physical presence in our lives will be truly missed. Don was always there to lend a handno project was too big, or too small. When you needed advice, guidance or words of encouragement he was ready to pump-you-up with, You're No. 1the very best and don't let anyone tell you anything different. Another favorite was, Whatever you do, do it to the best of your abilities. He lived that way and we'll remember that one forever.

During my dad's courageous battle, I was thinking about how he lived his life and about what I learned from him.  Here's what come to mind.
My dad had a strong work ethic.  He believed that no matter the job, it should be done right.  In his youth, he worked several jobs from weeding dandelions to heavy farm work.  If Dad took on a job, he would do it, and do it well. He was a perfectionist when it came to painting.  I can see him on a ladder with a bandana on his head, all his effort into doing a perfect job.  If he had never done a job before, that did not stop him.  He fixed plumbing, replaced toilets, put up drywall, tiled, carpeted, laid drainage pipe, cemented, laid brick patios, made shelves, refinished furniture I had the opportunity to see my dad in action working with NCR.  My junior year of college, Dad got me a job in his Pontiac NCR office working for Systems Engineering.  His devoted secretary Evelyn would not let the workers sit idly for long.  Dad would always say, If this ship goes down, I'm not going with it!  Evelyn would tell the guys, Let's go!  The ship is sinking!When I worked with my dad in the Detroit office, I learned that he did not shy away from problem clients.  He would listen to their dilemmas and get their computers, ATM's, or cash registers repaired without delay.  Dad rarely took off sick days and answered calls nights, weekends, and holidays, never leaving customers or his workers without support.
My dad was pragmatic.  There was nothing he could not fix.  This probably came from growing up during the Great Depression.  He used to tell us that when he was a kid, he wore hand-me-downs.  They were so worn out that even the patches had patches.  He shared a room with his three brothers and would say that the first one out was the best dressed.  His father mended the soles of their shoes with rubber from old tires.  He collected pop bottles along the road for a penny each to collect enough money to go to the movies.  He had a 69' Ford that lasted well into the 1980's.  He always said he'd drive it until the wheels fell off. One day he, Randy, and my mom were driving down Joy Street.  When they stopped at the stop sign, the tires actually did fall off. Dad repaired his cars himself and did oil changes. He taught us to do the same.  When I was 16, my dad showed me how to change a flat tire, then watched me do it by myself. He would make my brothers work alongside him in the garage handing him tools so they could learn this as well.
My dad loved family.  He would do anything to help family, no matter what. He helped his brother Bob build an addition to his house.  He helped his brother Art work on the Wisconsin farm.  He helped relatives when their cars broke down.  He helped build the Trout Creek cabin.  Most weekends my parents would come to our home with a box of donuts.  I can hear my dad announcing their arrival with get over here and give me a hug, and put the coffee on!  They came to numerous bonfires and barbeques and spent so much time with us.  Eight of us traveled to Alaska and back in a motorhome, and Dad enjoyed every minute of the trip.  He would travel all the way to Vermont, Texas, and even the U.S. Virgin Islands to see family. He loved holidays and birthday parties, visiting, eating good food, sharing stories.  His grandchildren can tell you numerous stories about his childhood and past.  We could always count on him.
My dad was a great protector.  Not long ago, dad had his DNA tested through Ancestry.com.  He always claimed to be French on his father's side, and German on his mother's.  It turns out he is so many more nationalities.  In researching his British side, I found out that the Young Clan in Scotland were protectors of the country and rode on horseback up and down the coast, guarding Scotland from invaders and enemies.  He joined the NAVY Air in 1951.  He was part of the Blue Goose Squadron who guarded the coasts of the U.S. from enemies.  By air, he patrolled Hawaii and Alaska.  He almost became a Michigan State Trooper.  Many of our relatives, including our grandfather, uncles, and cousins became sheriffs, police officers, or worked for policing agencies.  It must be in Dad's genes.  Nightly, he patrolled our home, locking doors, checking suspicious sounds, and looking outside to make sure we were safe.
Basically, I learned the following from my dad:  
1.Work hard, and do the job to the best of your ability, no matter the job.
2.Do not waste anything.  First, use what you can. Be practical.
3.Love and appreciate your family. They should always come first. 
4.Look out for each other, and lend a hand when you can.
Thanks, Dad, for your many lessons.  Thanks for being there for me and for us, without hesitation.  We love you always and forever and will miss you.  May God hold you in his hands and grant you peace.

Here's what we shared at the funeral service.

Our grandpa gave us more life lessons than we could ever ask for. He picked up every penny he saw and made us pick up every one too. He wore galoshes on his shoes and bragged about his dry feet. He didn't care what anyone else thought of him as long as he knew he was doing what he thought should be done. He told us it didn't matter what job you had as long as the money was green, and in that job, the most important person wasn't with the highest title, but the person that everyone went to for help - and that was Grandpa. When both our parents had to work, he would be there to pick us up from school for a dentist appointment, and get us McDonalds hash browns on the way back, with AM talk radio droning in the car the entire way. When we moved into our house, he was there with a sledgehammer to take out the cabinets. When we took a trip to Alaska and we told him those mosquito net hats were ridiculous, he brought them anyway - and of course we ended up wearing them. Even when we didn't realize we needed him, he was there, with beef jerky from Gibraltar and a box of donuts. He shouted at every football game, listened to all our terrible band concerts, and gave us the extra candy on Halloween that he refused to give to teenagers. He brought us to the water park when it was hot, and to museums and airplane shows we didn't think beforehand we would enjoy. In the past couple years, even when we saw him on his bad days, we could nevertheless marvel at one of the only people who has ever earnestly told our dad 'no.' He showed us what an incredible woman our mom is, who helped out every day, usually in person, despite her full-time job, and still came home to make dinner; he raised a family who knows what it means to take responsibility and value each other. While he was the reason we knew that at Christmas political conversations needed to be avoided at all costs, he was also the reason we knew we had nothing but unconditional support coming our way. Never did he discourage us from anything. Never did we think he was less than profoundly proud of us. Never did he forget us despite his war with Alzheimer's. And never did he cease to love us with a stubbornness a thousand times what anyone else could ever have. His constant presence in our lives will be irreplaceable, and we can't put in words how much we'll miss him, but he gave us the memories and wisdom to last us forever.

I have nothing but fond memories of Uncle Don!  Loved my sleepovers when I was young!  Your entire family remains in our thoughts and prayers!
Sending our love,
Karen and Liberty

The entire family is in our thoughts and prayers!

I have been a neighbor of Chris and Don's since 1992.  Lovely people...so caring and giving.  Don would always be sitting on their front porch, and always said hello and waved.  He would come across the street at times to talk and laugh.  My heartfelt condolences are extended to Chris, their children and their entire wonderful family.  Rest in Peace Don....God Bless.

OBITUARY

Donald John Young

27 January, 1932 – 8 July, 2017

Kaul Funeral Home

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