Harold Wesley Young of Randolph, 89 years old, passed away May 5 at his home, after a long illness. Born in Ravenna, Ohio, July 31, 1931, the son of the late Clarice and Silas Young, he and his parents moved to Randolph in 1937. He graduated from Randolph School in 1949.
Mr. Young grew up on his family’s celery farm and helped drive the farm produce truck to market in Pittsburg during his early years. His first job outside the farm was with Allen Aircraft in Ravenna. He also worked for the Grapette Company and then spent 16 years as a driver-salesman for Royal Crown Bottling Company.
For eight years, he was self-employed as a carpenter, building and remodeling many houses in the area. In 1983, he was hired at Kent State University in the Maintenance Department for the Music and Speech Building, and then later as Carpenter Supervisor in Physical Plant Services. After retirement, he spent several years doing maintenance at Marlboro Christian Church and driving for several car dealerships in the area.
Wed in 1950 to Janet Boggess, they lived on the same acreage her parents gave them for all 70 years of marriage.
They were members of Arlington Memorial Baptist Church in Akron and occasionally attended Friendship Bible Church in Randolph.
Harold served as a member of the Waterloo Board of Education for eight years as well as serving on the Portage County Board of Education for four years. He was active with PTA and Band Boosters when his children were at Waterloo.
He is survived by his wife, Janet; three children, Douglas (Teri) Young of Mountain View, CA; Sharon (Curt) Smith of Akron; Kathleen Wilhelm of Randolph; and foster daughter, Sandi (Denny) Thorp of Easley, SC. Also surviving are grandchildren, Paul (Tanya) Wilhelm of Randolph; Nicholas (Haley) Wilhelm of Randolph; Douglas Young of Mountain View, CA; Rebecca (Keith) Wolford of Germantown, TN; Mark (Karla) Wilhelm of Canton; Stephanie Smith of New Haven, CT; Andrew (Jazmine) Wilhelm of Atwater; and Chad (Ali) Smith of Akron, as well as his foster grandchildren, Michelle (Keith) Pruszynski of Dayton; and Matthew (Shanna) Thorp of South Carolina. He had 11 great grandchildren and 8 foster great-grandchildren.
Harold and Janet were fans of Southern Gospel music and enjoyed attending concerts with their friends. For 11 years they traveled to Gatlinburg and ushered at a weekend of gospel concerts. Both Harold and Janet were 4-H leaders and enjoyed working with young people as they prepared their projects for the Randolph Fair.
Services will be held at Friendship Bible Church, 1703 St. Rt. 44 in Randolph, with calling hours on Monday, May 10, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. followed by a service, officiated by Pastor Bill Johnson, at 4:00 p.m. Social distancing and masks are suggested. Livestream will be available through YouTube/Friendship Bible Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Randolph Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 144, Randolph OH 44265.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com.
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