Joseph Young

Joseph A. Young passed away peacefully Monday, February 15, 2015, at Bridgeview Care Facility at age 86.  He was surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer.

Joseph was born in Lakin, Kansas on October 1, 1929 to Earl A. and Ema Hoss Young.  He attended the Lakin schools through his junior year.  His family moved to Idaho in 1946 where he graduated from Murtaugh High School with honors.

On his 21st birthday he entered the US Air Force, a career that lasted 24 years and took him to many parts of the world. Joe had strong leadership abilities and was a quick learner. His first schooling was in aircraft maintenance in Illinois. He spent the next 13 years at Lockborne Air Force Base, Ohio, in the Strategic Air Command (SAC), the deterrent force during the cold war. His leadership abilities enabled him to quickly advance in rank, responsibility and supervisory positions.

As the cold war wound down there was less need for personnel strength and mission requirements bringing many changes.  In 1964 he was assigned to Amarillo, Texas Airforce Base.  His duty assignment was Chief of the Maintenance Training Division. This office was responsible for coordinating and scheduling the training requirements for approximately 1100 personnel, a new and huge challenge for him.

In 1966 he had the opportunity to cross train into the Flight Engineer program.  After five months of school and training he was a qualified flight engineer on the new C-141 cargo aircraft. His next assignment was Norton Airforce Base, San Bernardino, California. Many planes left daily with supplies supporting troops in the Vietnam conflict. Sadly they returned, often carrying caskets. They went into a number of bases in Japan, Thailand and Vietnam, especially Ton San Nhut at Saigon, the busiest airport in the world at that time. He also had duties of scheduling for the flight engineers in his squadron.

In late 1969 he received his orders for a one year tour in Thailand. After two more months of schooling and training he was checked out on the EC-121 aircraft. He arrived in Korat, Thailand, in January, 1970. The mission was monitoring the “electronic fence” along the DMZ and the Ho Chi Min Trail at night. Following his tour there he came home for the holidays. In January, 1970, he traveled, taking his family with him, to Pope Airforce Base, North Carolina. He reported in as Superintendent of Flight Engineers in the 39th Tactical Airlift Squadron with a primary mission of support for the 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Ft. Bragg. Again he went back to school for eight weeks, this time at Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1973 more changes began taking place and a large part of the airlift mission was being assigned to the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units. Rather than retrain again, he elected to retire.

He retired as a Chief Master Sargent on July 1, 1973. He and his family moved back to Idaho and settled in Twin Falls.  He studied for his real estate license, later for his broker license and was active as a realtor for ten years. He served as Vice President of the Board of Realtors in 1977 and Board President in 1978. He was honored to be chosen as Idaho’s Realtor of the Year in 1978.

In early 1982 he purchased the local Toms Foods snack vending distributorship in Twin Falls and the surrounding area. He operated it with his wife and son for 23 years.  They sold it in 2005 and he decided it was time to retire with the exception of doing repair service for Shasta Beverage.

Retirement didn’t last long as he soon became very involved in volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity.  He was instrumental in getting the Restore up and running, also getting the Lutheran community involved in volunteering at the store and the home building projects.

His time was limited for involvement in community activities but when he did, he gave it his best. While he was at Pope Airforce Base he headed up the entire Little League program. He found the hardest part was keeping the parents happy. He was a great supporter of his own children and their activities.

Joe married his long time girlfriend, Freida Knighton on April 9, 1951. She made all the moves with him except the overseas tours. They had the privilege of living in Louisiana, Texas, Ohio (where both children were born) Texas, California and North Carolina. They enjoyed each location and left good friends behind with every move. Joe was a great husband and family man. He always made sure his family was okay and well provided for when he was going to leave. He faithfully wrote letters home and often included a personal one to each child and spent quality time with them when he returned.

Joe was a man of God and a long time Lutheran. Since returning to Idaho, he was an active and involved member at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Kimberly, Idaho. His church family was very special to him. He served in many capacities, including trustee, elder and treasurer.

Despite his full and busy life, his family and faith were the most important to him.

Joe is survived by: his wife of 64 years, Freida L. Young; one son, Kenneth (Tina) Young, Jerome. He is survived by 2 sisters Laura Bowls (Gary) Richland, WA, Betty Carrier (Dick) Twin Falls a brother Donald Young Twin Falls.  Eight grandchildren: Emily (Jason) Garringer, Boise; Madeline (Scott) Barnes, Twin Falls; Alexandria Drummond, Moscow; William Drummond, Twin Falls; Lauren Drummond, Boise; Luke Young, Donnelly; Jordan Juhnke, Boise; Joshua Juhnke, Lewiston; and one great grandchild, Olyviah Rose, Twin Falls.  He is also survived by his sister in law, Gaye Young, Burley, and son in law, Dan Drummond, Twin Falls.

He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Ema Young, his brother Ralph Young, and his beloved daughter, Sherry Drummond.

Also, a special thank you to all the great folks at Bridgeview for taking such great care of Joe and showing him such compassion and respect.

You will be missed “Big Joe.” Rest in peace. We know you were welcomed home with, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

There will be a viewing held Monday, February 22, 6 to 8 p.m. at Parke’s Funeral Home.  His Funeral will be at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 400 Irene Street, Kimberly, at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday the 23rd.  Burial will be at the Veteran’s Cemetery, Boise at 3:00 p.m., on Tuesday the 23rd.