Charles William Young

Charles W. Young lived a life defined by service, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to preserving history. Born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, he spent much of his youth in California, where he attended American River College and California State University, Sacramento.

A gifted athlete, Charles led his track team to two conference championships, earned All-American honors in Track and Field, and was later inducted into the Sacramento City/County Hall of Fame for Track and Field.

Charles proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Military Police Investigator. Following his military service, he dedicated 33 years to the State of California, including 20 years with the California Department of Corrections, where he retired with the rank of Captain. His career reflected his integrity, leadership, and steadfast commitment to serving others.

After retiring and settling in Casa Grande, Arizona, Charles embraced his true passion—bringing history to life. As Sergeant Major of the 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers and Vice President of the Southwest Black Cowboys, he devoted countless hours to preserving the stories of the Buffalo Soldiers, Black cowboys, and Black lawmen and women who helped shape the American West. Through educational presentations, living history reenactments, parades, museums, and community events, he ensured these remarkable legacies would never be forgotten. Among his greatest honors was serving as an Honorary Pallbearer for three Buffalo Soldiers reinterred at Santa Fe National Cemetery, a historic event featured in the documentary ‘Hellva Way to Treat a Soldier’. Charles also represented the Buffalo Soldiers internationally during a presentation in Paris, France, and became a familiar face in the Tucson Rodeo Parade, where his authentic portrayals and exceptional horsemanship earned numerous awards for showmanship and horsemanship.

Charles believed history was meant to be lived, shared, and passed on. His greatest accomplishment was inspiring others to learn from the past and take pride in the contributions of those who came before them.

Charles leaves to cherish his memory his beloved children, Richard, Charles, Angie, and Monique; his loving sisters; his cherished grandsons and great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, dear friends, fellow historians, and members of the Southwest Black Cowboys. Charles W. Young’s legacy lives on in every story he preserved, every life he inspired, and every heart he touched. Though his earthly ride has ended, his legacy will continue to ride on for generations to come.

Some men leave behind possessions. Others leave behind stories. Charles W. Young left behind a legacy. He dedicated his life to ensuring that the courage of the Buffalo Soldiers, the resilience of Black cowboys, and the bravery of Black lawmen and women would never be forgotten. Through every presentation, every parade, every horse he rode, and every life he touched, he transformed history into living memory.

He stood with honor as an Honorary Pallbearer for three Buffalo Soldiers whose final resting place became the Santa Fe National Cemetery, helping bring long-overdue recognition to these American heroes. That historic journey became part of the documentary, “Hellva Way to Treat a Soldier”, ensuring their stories and his dedication to preserving them would live on for generations.

As Vice President of the Southwest Black Cowboys, Charles celebrated the pioneers whose courage helped shape the American West. He reminded audiences that Black cowboys, lawmen, women, and soldiers were not footnotes in history they were history.

His passion carried him far beyond the American frontier. In 2008, he shared the story of the Buffalo Soldiers in Paris, France, proving that the legacy of these remarkable men reached across oceans and cultures. Whether riding proudly in the Tucson Rodeo Parade, portraying the strength and dignity of the Buffalo Soldiers, or educating audiences about the Black lawmen and women who helped settle the West, Charles carried himself with humility, authenticity, and pride. His dedication earned him continuous recognition for Showmanship and Horsemanship, but those who knew him understood that his greatest award was never a trophy. It was the spark of understanding in the eyes of those listening, the appreciation of a family hearing history for the first time, and the respect of every person who walked away knowing that America’s story was richer because he had shared it.

He believed that history should not gather dust on forgotten pages. It should ride. It should speak. It should inspire. Today, we say goodbye to the man whose voice gave life to countless untold stories. Though his horse now rests and his journey on this earth is complete, his spirit continues to ride beside every Buffalo Soldier remembered, every Black cowboy honored, and every young person who discovers their heritage because Charles chose to teach it. May the Great Trail welcome you with open skies. May the Buffalo Soldiers ride beside you once more. May the Black cowboys tip their hats in gratitude.

And may generations yet unborn continue to speak your name, remembering not only the history you preserved, but the man who made sure it would never be forgotten. Ride on, Uncle Charles. Your work here is done. Your legacy rides forever.