James William Young, Sr.

James was born on August 20, 1921 to William Thomas and Annie Hilma Smith Young at Van Vleet, in Chickasaw County, Mississippi. He was the oldest of six children. The family moved to Pheba, in Clay County, Mississippi, where he graduated from high school. He was awarded a football scholarship to Delta State University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in science. He received a Master's Degree in School Administration from George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee. James did additional study at the University of Colorado, the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University and Mississippi College.

James began his service to the country when World War II interrupted his college studies at Delta State in 1943. James served as a recruit trainer for a period of time, and then began combat with the Second Infantry Division in the European Theater. James fought in the Ardennes Forest (Battle of the Bulge), the Rhineland and the Central Europe campaigns.

James served Mississippi public education for 37 years as a classroom teacher, high school coach, junior and senior high counselor, elementary principal, high school principal and assistant superintendent. He retired as deputy superintendent of the Greenville Public Schools in 1984. James and his wife, Elizabeth, served in the Dublin, Marks, Jackson, Canton and Greenville School Districts.

James served his community in numerous ways. He was an active deacon of First Baptist Church, Greenville Mississippi, where he served on various committees, including two years as chairman of the deacons. After moving to Madison, James served as an active deacon of First Baptist Church of Madison.

James was an active Rotarian for many years, serving as a former president of the Greenville Rotary Club and as chairman of various committees on the local and district levels. He, along with his wife, led a team of young professionals on a Rotary Exchange Team to Mexico for five weeks to promote peace and good will between the two countries. James served as Rotary District Governor of the Central Mississippi District in 1994-95. After moving to Madison, he became an active and proud member of the Madison-Ridgeland Rotary Club. The Madison-Ridgeland Club honored James by initiating a "Service Above Self James Young Award" - an award of great personal significance to James.

James's commitment to service was recognized when the Madison Lions Club awarded him the "Heart of a Lion" Award - the highest award which may be given to a non-member of the Lions Club. James valued this honor greatly.

He was a member and former president of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Public Employees Retirement Association. Continuing his interest in education, he served on the Board of Trustees for Mississippi Delta Community College for several years and on advisory committees for several school districts.

James was active in professional associations. He served on the Delta State University Alumni Association Board of Directors, serving one year as president of the Association. He also served on the Delta State University Foundation Board of Directors. He was a former president of both the Jackson Education Association and the Greenville Education Association. He was also former president of Jackson Education Credit Union. He was a member of the state and national education associations, American Association of School Administrators, and past-president of the Mississippi Association of Assistant School Administrators. He was a member of the Mississippi Professional Educators, former president of the Delta Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, honorary education organization. He was awarded a life-time membership in the Mississippi Parent-Teacher Association by the Greenville PTA.

James was a member of the Boy Scouts Eagle Board of Review. He was proud that both his son and grandson are Eagle scouts. James was also a member of the Washington County Chapter of the American Red Cross board of Directors.

In 1997 James and Elizabeth moved to Madison to be closer their children. As a Madison citizen, James became involved in Madison community activities. He was an Ambassador for the Madison Chamber of Commerce and served on various city and county committees. He was involved in organizing and was elected the first president of the TRIAD Club, an organization that supports senior citizens. James was a member of the Madison County Economic Development Authority retiree advisory committee; a member of the Madison County Schools Business and Commerce Center advisory committee; and served on the Madison Mayor's Youth Council steering committee.

James was active in veterans’ activities. He was a member of the Mississippi Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, serving twice as president of the organization and chairman of the leadership committee. He served on the Veterans Day Committee for the City of Madison. He was a member of the American Legion.

James enjoyed the William Dollarhite Coffee Club, a group of retired Jackson educators. He also enjoyed meeting with the Friday Morning Men's Prayer Group at the Madison McDonalds. He considered it a privilege to be associated with such Godly men.

James began his service to his family when, upon returning to Delta State after the War, he met and married Elizabeth Mobley, of Utica, in 1947. They have two children, eight grand children and one great-grandchild and have celebrated 68 anniversaries. James was a loving husband and a wonderful father and grandfather. He loved to be around his family.

In addition to his wife, Elizabeth Mobley Young, James is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Young Taylor and Tony Taylor of Madison; one son and daughter-in-law, James W. Young, Jr. and Jackie Henry Young; eight grandchildren: Taylor Armstrong and her husband Travis, Lauren Pittman, Dionna and Mike Taylor, and Annie, William, Emily and Mary Seitz Young, and one great-grandchild Harper Armstrong. He is also survived by one brother, Paul Young; three sisters, Doris Cliett, Ozell Burges, all of West Point, and Pauline Wright, of Meridian, Mississippi. He was pre-deceased by his parents and a brother, Floyd Young, of West Point.

Visitation is Thursday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Parkway Funeral Home on Highland Colony Parkway with a Celebration Service at 1:00 pm Friday at First Baptist Church Madison.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Battle of the Bulge Scholarship Fund, 804 20th Avenue North, Columbus MS 39705 or the First Baptist Church Madison building fund.