James Young

During the afternoon of March 2nd, 2024, James E. Young Jr., 88, of Maryville, TN decided to answer the call of his Lord to come home to so many loved ones who had gone on before. James was preceded in death by wife Pat of 48 years, parents, James Esco and Della Mae Young, siblings Pauline (Ray) Millsaps, Juanita (Lonnie) Cope, Lazell Chapman, Johnnie (Milburn) Waters, Dewey (JoAnn) Young, Carolyn (Herman) Fleming, Don (Cindy) Young, Rev. Larry (Kay) Young and Charles (Donna) Young. He is survived by sons Bryan (Kathy) Young, Scott Young, Jason (Megan) Young, daughter Nikki (Samuel) Turnmire and sister Nancy (Reed) Bryson along with nine grandkids and scores of nieces and nephews.

While Jim may have passed away less than a mile from where he was born, his life's journey would take him on a variety of adventures in his 88 years. The first adventure started by marrying his first wife, Betty, quickly followed by traveling to New Jersey to build sonar equipment for the Navy. At the age of 22 James was drafted to serve in the Navy as part of the VW-4 Hurricane Hunters. He often spoke with great enthusiasm about flying into hurricanes, Whiting Field, Pensacola, and Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico. Before deciding to leave the Navy James and Betty would have their first son Bryan. It wasn't long after returning to East Tennessee that his second son Scott would join the family and James would begin different careers at Murphy-West Chevrolet and Blount-National Bank. It was at the bank where James would meet his second wife, Pat. Soon their blended families would add James' first daughter Nikki and a third son Jason. With the buyout of the bank, he found himself eyeing his next adventure of working in commercial HVAC with Hydro-Air and running Southern Balance in Atlanta, GA. The Young family would eventually find their home once again in Blount County as James continued to work with Hydro-Air and Colvin & Son for the remainder of his career.

If James wasn't working, he was either camping, boating, water-skiing, or fishing. As his body started to betray him to old age, he and Pat did more camping and less working. He took the time to travel the country and visit extended family that lived abroad until his youngest children started having kids of their own. While he called Blount County home, he often longed for fishing in Minnesota or Santee Cooper, the grandkids in Montana, and the shores of Pensacola. He grew up fishing Douglas, Fort Loudon, and Tellico Lakes and did the same as long as he could in his twilight years. Even when his heart and Parkinson's was telling him he couldn't, his mind was always telling him he could! Long past the ability to drive, Jim was trying to figure out a way to get his mobility chair to take himself to Waffle House the week before he passed. While his body quit, his mind never did.

James spoke fondly of his life and the adventures he had. If you knew him for any length of time, then we're sure you've heard some of his tales. You also know that he didn't like much attention and it was his wish that no funeral service be held. Internment for James and Pat Young will take place on April 19th, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Forest Hill Baptist Church, Maryville, Tennessee.

You are encouraged to share a memory of James and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Athens is honored to assist his family with these arrangements.