Sharon Elaine Young

March 30, 1941 – August 6, 2021

Sharon E. Young, 80, peacefully passed away on August 6th, 2021 at her home in Loch Lloyd, MO after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family which is what always made her happiest.

Sharon was born in Kansas City, but her family moved to Kingman, KS when she was young, and that is where she was raised. That is also where she met the love of her life Gary, at the age of 17. The two quickly became inseparable and could often be found dragging her car down Main St. together. She was also quite an accomplished drummer in the Kingman High School marching band and drum line! The high school sweethearts got married in 1961 and moved to Tulsa, OK, where they raised their two children, made many friends and where they spent most of their married life. In 2014, Sharon and Gary moved to Kansas City to be closer to family. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family at Grand Lake in Oklahoma.

During their years in Tulsa, they enjoyed many weekends at Grand Lake. Sharon loved being at the lake, especially when she was surrounded by her family. There was nothing better than a Gigi (as she was so affectionately referred to by her grandchildren) Fish Fry followed by homemade ice cream at the lake. Sharon was also passionate about volunteer work at Tulsa Children’s Medical Center where for several years she spearheaded the Center’s very popular Art Fair and the nationally known and recognized Roy Clark Golf Classic, successfully helping raise millions of dollars for the medical center. In her free time, she also enjoyed playing tennis and was a lover of the arts.

Anyone who ever knew Sharon immediately was aware that she had incredible and natural style. Whether it was putting together an impeccable wardrobe/outfit, decorating /designing a home worthy of being on a magazine cover or hosting fabulous parties and family gatherings, Sharon did it all with style, and ease. Later in life she explored her love and talent for abstract art. Her eye for color and texture produced many wonderful and creative paintings that adorn the walls of the homes of family and friends today.

Sharon loved flowers (especially hydrangeas), Elvis Presley, convertibles (especially red ones), a good book, a TJ Maxx run, a needlepoint project, the occasional puff of a cigar, the sound of the ocean, KU Basketball, a glass of Chardonnay and later in life, a GNT+BCL (Gin and Tonic with a big chunk of lime!). But more than anything else, she loved her family and cherished any time that she could be together with them.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Elmo and Eileen Smith. She is survived by her husband Gary, her daughter Angela Wagner and her husband Mike, her son Todd Young and his wife Suellen, grandchildren Adam and his wife Bailey, Leah and her fiancée Jimmy, Sophie, Eden and her fiancée Kyle and Lily. She is also survived by her sister Carolyn DeFeo, her three nieces and their families.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests/suggests donations to Ovarian Cancer Research, using this link http://main.acsevents.org/goto/Sharon_Young

or to a Hospice Care organization.

The family would also like to thank the many doctors, nurses and hospice workers who worked tirelessly to care for Sharon and to bring her comfort. And to Gary, who lived out his wedding vows to the last moment for being an inspiration to your children, grandchildren and all those who knew Sharon.