Michael "Mickey" Cadet Young Sr.

Michael “Mickey” Cadet Young Senior, a resident of Greensboro, N.C. went to his heavenly home on February 19th, 2026. Mickey was the fourth son born to Francis Lafayette and Lilly Gilly Young on May 12th, 1936. As a young boy, he enjoyed working with his father who managed a hardware store. He was well-known throughout the neighborhood and local community due to the newspaper routes he and his brother held.

As a teen, he was a part of the Junior National Geographic Club, fostering an interest in various areas both nationally and worldwide, so much so, he would write letters to different archaeological sites to inquire about their findings and studies. This love of geography led him to collect maps from all locations and strengthened the ties he felt to his Native American heritage (his mother being of Cherokee descent).

Mickey was a proud veteran, serving in the United States Air Force from 1958-1967 during the Vietnam War. While serving out of Langley Field, Seymour Johnson, and Lowery Air Force bases, he was trained as a mechanic and weapon specialist on fighter planes and B-29 bombers and took that experience to work at North State Chevrolet for 20 years.

On September 28, 1956, Mickey received the Lord, which marked the beginning of his life's work. He became a member of Glenwood Friends Church in 1964, and it was there, he was recorded as a Friends Minister. He would occasionally fill in for the pastor at other local Friends Churches, including a long stent at Thomasville Friends Church. He served as an elder and a Sunday school teacher, as well as sitting on the historical committee and was also active with the Quaker men’s group. Mickey also served as a presiding clerk of the New Garden Quarterly meeting and was active in the NC Yearly Meeting.

Mickey was a dedicated man of God, he continued to share his love of our Lord not only in church, but also as an associate professor of Bible theology at John Wesley College in High Point, North Carolina. He held a Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in biblical studies from Houston Graduate School of Theology, a Master of Arts degree in biblical theology from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Bible theology from John Wesley College.

He was a 20-year member of the Wesleyan Theological Society and served on the Board of Directors of the Emeritus Society, a division of the Department of Continual Learning at UNCG. He would attend special classes offered by this group and occasionally teach a class himself. He once said, “My extra studies broaden my scope of knowledge, which I bring back to the classroom.” His doctoral dissertation was titled “Teaching the Gospel of John in a Modular Setting.” In addition, had an article published in the Quaker publication, “Reflections” and had written two more articles left unpublished, Redemption & Fullness of Tabernacle Detail and Quaker Decision-Making Process.

As a professor for more than 20 years, he worked to combine his love of teaching with his love of the Lord, teaching classes on all the books of the Bible as well as the theology of holiness as well as the theology of John Wesley (his favorite along with Pentateuch I and II) “I have a motto ‘reach the few who can reach the many,’ he stated during an interview while he was a professor”.

Mickey had numerous passions in life, one being a remarkable drive for knowledge on all subjects, collecting over three thousand volumes in his own personal library.

Another was music, especially bluegrass gospel, which led him to learn to play several string instruments, including the guitar, the mandolin, and the dulcimer. He continued to share that joy of music by singing in his church choir.

One of his favorite past times was dedicated to restoring old cars and trucks, his greatest restoration being his AutoCar. His enthusiasm for trucks led him to amass a unique collection of diverse models, which made for wonderful conversation pieces.

Mickey enjoyed driving along the Blue Ridge parkway and stopping to admire the views along the outlooks. He also enjoyed the beach and walking along the shoreline watching the waves ebb and flow, stating, “I am looking upon God’s work.” Being in nature was a peaceful and mindful time for Mickey. He enjoyed working in his garden, planting flowers every spring and placing bird feeders among the plants so that he and his beloved cats could watch the blooms and birds from his window.

Of all the things Mickey cherished, he most adored his darling wife, Virginia, having recently celebrated sixty-seven wonderful years of marriage. And he relished sharing their love story with others, including his greatest treasures from that story being his three children: Rose Sharon, Michael Cadet, and Elizabeth Joy. He always emphasized that his children were marvelous gifts from God.

Mickey, (more fondly known as Pawpaw to his grandchildren), will always be remembered as the three boy’s storytelling, book reading, guitar playing, bluegrass foot tapping, truck loving, bird watching, cat adoring, devoted man of God who smiled warmly with his eyes. Most importantly, he was someone who would always give you a hug and tell you how proud he was of you.

Mickey is survived by his loving wife, Virginia Young; his oldest daughter Sharon (Mark) Mills; six grandchildren: Jessica, Brandon (Laura), Hannah (Sendil), Kristi (Tommy), Jeremy (Crystal). Ten great grandchildren: Nathaniel, Nicholas, Emmett, Elliott, Emerson, Carter, Ayden, Jaxon Michael Cadet, Parklyn and Kamry and two great-great grandchildren: Scarlette Rose, and James Cleveland Cadet, as well as his oldest and youngest brothers: Harry and Joe Young.

Mickey was preceded in death by his mother and father: Lilly and Francis Young, brothers: David and Tommy Young, sister: Ann Tallman, son: Michael Cadet Young Junior, daughter: Elizabeth Joy Merrill, and Grandson: Justin Daniel Merrill.

A service to celebrate Mickey's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Glenwood Friends Church, 2400 Old Chapman St., Greensboro, NC.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Mickey’s honor to First Nations Development Institute, a non-profit that supports Native American Communities, a cause near and dear to Mickey’s heart.