H. T. "Mickey" Young

The story of Howard Thomas Young is one of adventure, of continual personal reinvention, and of kindness to the ones he loved. His story began in Aurora, Missouri, where his parents, Clifford Glenn Young and Gertrude Ida Baucher, welcomed him to the world on June 14, 1927.

Soon the family moved to Flint, Michigan, and that is the setting for his childhood memories. Known as Mickey to his family and friends in Flint, he grew up playing football and following University of Michigan football. In another time, Mickey may have followed a typical path and attended the University of Michigan upon his completion from high school in Flint.

The typical path, however, never suited Mickey and the time of Mickey’s transition to adulthood was anything but typical. The world was at war. He felt the duty to serve his nation and enlisted in the United States Navy on February 2, 1945, at the age of 17. Though still a boy, his adventure had begun.

Entry into World War II made Mickey grow up fast and his spirit matched the challenge. He served as part of the triumphant U.S. military at the end of the war and crossed the Pacific region with the U.S. liberating forces.

By the age of 19, he had travelled through much of the world and served his nation with honor. Mickey achieved multiple distinctions during his military service, including the American Area Ribbon, the World War II Victory Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon, and the Phillipine Liberation Ribbon.

While a mechanic in the military by trade, Mickey found a new calling while serving his country. Boxing matches were big events in the military during wartime. Not content to cheer from the sidelines, Mickey jumped into the ring to great effect.

Mickey channeled boxing skills honed from his youth in Flint while competing in both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. In a military environment full of bravado, there was no shortage of boxing challengers to Mickey. No challenger could match him and upon his retirement from the military on July 3, 1946, he was the U.S. Navy’s IBC Bantamweight champion. He retired with an undefeated military boxing record.

Back in Flint after the war, it did not take long for Mickey to re-enter the ring. He had obvious boxing skills and a formidable punch, but his dedication to focused training separated him from the pack of challengers. By 1947, Mickey held the Michigan Golden Gloves Bantamweight championship belt.

Mickey kept piling up victories in Michigan and the boxing world took notice. A new adventure awaited Mickey.

By 1948, he turned professional and was accepted into the sport’s elite. His new trainer had previously trained famed middleweight world champion Jake Lamotta. Opportunity knocked and Mickey responded by training with even greater tenacity.

The hard work paid off. Having conquered the Michigan boxing scene, Mickey saw the bright lights of New York City and chased his dream with maximum effort. His fists sent a series of talented challengers to the canvas. Newspapers and photos from the day documented his ascent through the boxing ranks. His spirit and skills leapt off the pages.

Mickey’s talent and dedication ascended all the way to the highest peak of 1940s era boxing, Madison Square Garden in New York City. The kid from Flint had made it big in the big city. His name was on the marquee at the sport’s grandest stage.

With an accomplished career record of 22-5-3 and while still at the peak of his boxing talents, Mickey was thirsty for a new adventure. In 1950, he retired from boxing and started a new chapter of his life.

Mickey transitioned the setting for his life story from Flint to San Diego in the early 1950s. He initially worked at Rohr and Convair in the San Diego region. During this time, he began to love the San Diego region and call it home. He lived in downtown San Diego, in Pacific Beach, and eventually moved to San Ysidro.

In San Ysidro, Mickey made connections and friends that would trigger his most dramatic career reinvention and start an unlikely 38-year adventure.

Despite having no previous experience with horse racing, Mickey took advantage of an opportunity and immersed himself into the sport starting in 1958. Soon, Mickey was a trailblazer in a new sport as he ascended to be one of the top trainers at Agua Caliente racetrack in Tijuana.

Throughout the 1960s, Mickey was a main player in the Agua Caliente racing scene. Everyone knew Mickey. He met his future wife, Beatriz S. Rios, at Agua Caliente and they were married on July 11, 1969.

Mickey worked hard to provide for his growing family. His first son, Michael Glenn Young, was born in 1970. His daughter, Beatriz Enyd Young, followed soon thereafter in 1971. Mickey’s immediate family was complete with the arrival of his youngest son, Leonardo Samuel Young, in 1977.

Life was good for Mickey. His career was in full bloom and had momentum. His career arc kept ascending and he expanded his horse training enterprise throughout Southern California. Mickey was well known and respected at horse racing tracks from Del Mar to Santa Anita, from Hollywood Park to Los Alamitos, as well as his home track at Agua Caliente. He collaborated with giants of the sport. He trained horses ridden by top jockeys of the era and his horses won multiple graded stakes races.

It was important for Mickey to integrate success at the track while maintaining a presence as a role model for his family. This required many long days for Mickey in which he would make round trips between San Diego and Los Angeles to train horses competing at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park. In a frantic pace that could have overwhelmed others, Mickey continued to flourish.

He had friends at every stop. Both at the racetrack and at home, Mickey’s personality made him unforgettable. He showed genuine interest and loyalty to his loved ones and his friends. He beamed with confidence as he faced challenges. Anyone who knew Mickey knows how he loved to laugh.

Upon the end of his remarkable 38-year horseracing career in 1996, Mickey embarked on his final adventure. This chapter focused on his family in San Diego. In his role as grandfather, Mickey’s personality was a perfect match.

Betty and her husband, Oscar Mondaca, blessed with Mickey with three grandchildren, Alyssa Itzel Mondaca, Ariana Isabella Mondaca, and Max Antonio Mondaca. Mickey’s son Michael and his wife Elena Garcia blessed him two grandchildren, Megan Elena Young and Michael Thomas Young, while his youngest son Leo blessed with him grandson Cesar C. Young.

As a grandfather, there was no limit to his kindness. Mickey was always the big kid in the room and always made time to play with and encourage his grandchildren. Even in his later years, Mickey’s spirit was undeniable and on full display. He always had a sparkle in his eye.

Mickey always made his family and many friends feel welcome. When offering advice, he was like the trainer in the boxing ring, giving a pep talk to the boxer. He always made you feel like the champ.

As a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend, Mickey Young was a loyal ally and a beacon of kindness. Through constant reinvention and a quest for adventure, he defied convention, stared down the odds, and lived in the moment in a life filled with big events and success. His dreams stretched for miles and he had the tenacity and dedication to make those dreams come true.