Myles P. Young, Jr. took his final journey on Saturday, July 20, 2019, with his family by his side. Buddy, a nickname affectionately given to him by his father, was born on December 26, 1941. He spent his early years in Buck Creek, North Carolina. A clever storyteller, he would often regale others with stories from his childhood and the many stops his journey took.
Buddy earned his degree in horticulture from the Catawba Valley Community College, in Hickory, NC. While living in Hickory, he would also meet his future wife, the woman he would spend his life with, Carolyn. They married on June 6, 1971.
Buddy and Carolyn lived in Charlotte, NC, where Buddy began his career in landscaping. Most of that career was spent with the City of Charlotte, Parks and Recreation Department. You could travel down nearly any street in the city and he would point to a tree and tell you a story about it. The same was true of many of the parks around the city, he had a story about the planning or development of the area. While finding joy in the work he did, Buddy would find a greater joy on August 22, 1978, when his daughter, Heather, was born. Buddy had traveled many places in his youth, but had found his home in Charlotte.
After 38 years of bringing beauty and splendor to Charlotte’s streets and parks, Buddy retired. In retirement, Buddy enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Giovanni and Lilyana. He never missed a chance to bring them a sercy; in the same way he used to bring them to his daughter.
Buddy was a master of dry wit, and picked up a degree in sarcasm somewhere along the way. He loved reading, mainly books with stories of science fiction and sword and sorcery. You could always find him with a Pepsi in his hand; a livelong love that started as a child when his father worked for Pepsi Co. He always had a piece of advice to give and story to tell. He is loved by those whose lives he touched on his journey and he will be greatly missed.
Buddy was preceded in death by his parents Myles Poor Young, Sr. and Lilian Bradley Young, as well as his sister Melinda Young Cushing. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Pope Young, his daughter Heather Young Trester (Christopher), and his grandchildren Giovanni and Lilyana Trester.
A Graveside Service will be held at Catawba Memorial Park, Hickory, NC, on Saturday August 3rd at 12 PM.
The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11AM – 11:45 AM at Catawba Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Levine Dickson Hospice House, Huntersville, NC, or the Humane Society of Charlotte.
