Michael Young died March 10, 2020 at his home in Westminster. He was 82 years old. Michael Vincent Young was born January 4, 1938 in Sioux City, IA to Valera G. O’Neil and Vincent Young. They moved to Denver, where he graduated from North High School.
Michael had many great interests in life including gardening, tennis, bicycling, sailing, skiing, and golf. As a child he loved going to his family farm in Nebraska with his beloved brother Bob and sister Pat. Michael was a hard-working person from an early age, and you could easily list hard work as one of his biggest hobbies. He worked at a bowling alley setting pins, operated a fishing tank for children at Lakeside Amusement Park for 12 cents an hour, and had a successful paper route all before the age of 17. Michael applied his amazing skill and work ethic first, as a very successful pipefitter with York Plumbing & Heating Company, including winning a prestigious state pipe fitter contest in 1963. York greatly valued his work as he continually improved his skills and became a valued foreman and estimator.
Around 1974 Michael decided he wanted to work for himself and founded M. V. Young Company to do mechanical contracting. The company was extremely successful due to his skill and practical problem-solving capability. Michael had an unbelievable ability to fix anything mechanical and many electrical devices, as well. He spent considerable time helping friends and family whenever and however needed.
After 1995 Michael took his skills to many other hobbies and activities. He was well-known as "Dual Hand Mike" around many tennis courts in the Denver area due to his choice to hit two forehands instead of a backhand. Michael was always very active and at age 80 could do a 100 mile bike ride or play 6 hours of tennis.
Mike met his first wife, J. Marie Colwell, when she noticed him fixing his car in the mid 1950’s. They soon married and were blessed with a son Michael E. Young in 1957. They had another son Timothy in 1960. Their close-knit family had homes in north Denver, Northglenn and Westminster for the next 18 years. They were blessed with two more sons Robert in 1970 and Richard in 1972. The family lost Marie in 1984 and Michael in 1987. Mike continued to be a supportive father for his youngest two sons as a single parent, even while running M. V. Young Company and some large jobs. Mike had to persevere the loss of another of his loved sons Timothy in 2009.
Michael met his second wife Kathy Hotaling while Country Western dancing in 1988. They became great friends and married in 1997. Michael and Kathy shared activities like gardening, bike riding, tennis, dancing, golf, skiing, cooking, traveling, and playing cards. They enjoyed the rest of his life together including time spent with family, travelling and their annual winters in Arizona. Michael was a great man who went to Mass every week and lived a good life. He was a man who loved his entire extended family dearly and always did the best he could at everything. We will sorely miss him, his infectious and mischievous smile, his wit, and very warm heart.
In addition to his wife, Kathy Young and sons, Robb Young of San Francisco, CA and Rich Youngworth, of Boise, ID, he is survived by sister Pat Zanol of Greenwood Village, CO, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a memorial contribution in Michael’s name to:
The Lymphoma Research Foundation or Spirit of Christ Catholic Community in Arvada, CO
Online contribution sites are listed below:
The Lymphoma Research Foundation
Spirit of Christ Catholic Community in Arvada, CO
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18