Durwood "Woody" Andrew Young

Durwood “Woody” Andrew Young passed away March 11, 2025. He was preceded in death by wife, Carol; son, Michael; son-in-law, Dan Christie; grandson, Jimmy Bly; great-grandson, Dylan McDonald; siblings Glenda, Barney, and Ken.

Woody was involved in the transportation industry his entire life. He started driving truck in 1953. Woody was the owner and operator hauling steel for Michigan Express. He was hired by the Teamsters Union 406 in 1972, and was appointed recording secretary in 1974. In 1976, he established an office in Traverse City to serve the northern Michigan area.

In 1981, Woody was elected to position of secretary treasurer, principal officer of the local union. He also served as vice president of joint council 43. In 1985, he became executive vice president of Parker Motor Freight, and in 1998 he became senior vice president. Upon his retirement, he remained on the board of directors until the company ceased operations in 2004.

Woody was very active in the industry, serving on the negotiating committee for every national master freight agreement from 1982-2006. He served as the employer chairman, local cartage supplemental agreement from 1992-2006. He was past chairman and director of the North American Industrial Relations Association, as well as being elected into their hall of fame.

He was active in his church – Holy Family in Caledonia, where he served in several ministries.

Woody loved to golf and played organized softball into his late 70s, but his real love was horses. He was a very successful horseman (he would have preferred being called a cowboy) – competing at the top level, and was still winning major championships at the age of 81. He broke his last colt at the age of 70.

He was blessed with a loving family and many great friends. He is survived by his children Denise Christie, Debra and Jim Bly, Jeffrey Young; stepchildren Gary Scott Decker, Brett Decker, Richard Decker, Crystal Tylzynski; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy and George Hamer; friend, Marilyn Shoemaker.

Friends and family are welcome to a visitation from 2-4 and 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, March 17, 2025, with Rosary at 7:30 p.m., at Cook Funeral Home, 2067 84th St. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315. There will be a Mass at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 18 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9669 Kraft Ave. SE, Caledonia, MI 49316, with visitation from 10-11 a.m. prior to service. Interment will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in their online guestbook.