Philip Maurice Young

Philip M Young, 97, was born in Dodge City, Kansas on June 7, 1924. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Engineering from the University of Kansas where he also joined the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at La Jolla, CA before moving to Phoenix in 1946.

In 1951-52 he joined Refsnes, Ely, Beck & Co. and became an over-the-counter securities trader along with Hank Smith and Barry Peacock, who traded bonds. All three left Joe Refsnes a few years later and created the firm, Young, Smith & Peacock, Inc. YSP, as it was called, was the first securities brokerage firm in the southwest at the time that carried a seat on the New York Stock Exchange through a partner. Young, Smith & Peacock also underwrote several IPO’s (initial public offerings of stock) for public companies in and around the area.

He married JoAnn Smell (most people thought it was Snell!) in Phoenix on September 15, 1952 and they had their first child in May of 1954. Two more sons followed in 1956 and 1959. He was a committed family man and supported many organizations throughout the years such as the Intercity Relations Committee (Phoenicians), Phoenix Jaycees, KU Jayhawks, the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, the Republican political party, All Saints Episcopal Church and the U.S. Army where Burton Barr had been his Commanding Officer in the Reserves. He had wonderful best friends who have all passed now such as Johnny Armer, Charles Stinson, Russ Johnson, Kirk Kroloff, and Denny Mitchum. Most recently, his girlfriend, Mary Harkness, was the best thing that could have happened to him after the death of his wife. If he could, he’d still be dancing with Mary.

A dear friend recently said, “Phil was one extraordinary individual!! He always demonstrated a zest for life with a positive attitude in good and bad times. He was an inspiration to others.” To many people, he was a natural hero.

He is preceded in death by his devoted, witty, and laughing wife of 67 years, JoAnn. He is also predeceased by his son, David M. Young, 51, and his first son, John P. Young, 13. He is survived by his daughter, Salli Marinov, and his granddaughter, Marissa Royle, as well as a brother Charles Young, and niece Diane Summers.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Beatitudes Life Center on Monday, December 6, 2021 at 10:00. All are welcome to come and share a memory of him!