John Henry Young Jr., 74, of Surprise, Arizona, passed away at 3:43 am, Thursday, December 22, 2016, at the Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center surrounded by his family.
Born March 5, 1942, in Streetman, Texas, he was the son of the late John Henry Young Sr. and Velma Mae Evans and brother to George and Brady Young. John is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jacqueline “Jackie” Young; two daughters, Melanie Boulden and Monique Young; and granddaughter, Maya Boulden. John also leaves behind numerous loving relatives and friends.
John attended Doan High School in Fairfield, Texas and graduated in 1960. He had a very successful high school career as an all-district basketball player and all-state high jumper. Following high school, he attended Midwestern State University on a four-year athletic scholarship. John graduated in 1966, with a Bachelor of Science degree in both secondary education and physical education with a minor in history.
John was a member of Midwestern’s basketball team. In 1965, his senior year, John led his team to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Tournament and was named an NAIA All-American for scoring over 1,700 points in his college career.
John had an opportunity to play professional basketball, but chose to stay at Midwestern and finish his degree.
In 1967, John was drafted into the army. He received basic training at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas and was stationed at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. He received an honorable discharge from the army in 1969.
John began a 40+ year career in Job Corps in 1969 as a recreational specialist. He worked his way through the ranks to become center director at nine centers throughout the U.S. The mission of Job Corps is to help disadvantaged young people, ages 16-24, improve the quality of their lives through vocational and academic training. While working in Job Corps, John’s dedication to his job allowed him to touch many lives and save countless others. John Henry Young is a LEGEND in Job Corps.
For his professional accomplishments, John received the Award of Merit from Mayor Koch of New York City and the Arthur F. Beyer Distinguished Alumnus award from Midwestern in 2001, for his significant contributions to society. John was also Midwestern State University’s keynote commencement speaker for the 2007 graduating class. In addition to his professional accomplishments, John continued to challenge himself even in retirement by enrolling in a paralegal studies program at Phoenix College. At the time he had to withdraw from his studies due to illness, John maintained an “A” average.
Arrangements conducted by Sunland Memorial Park of Sun City, Arizona. Post a memory in their guest book online at http://www.dignitymemorial.com/sunland-memorial-park-mortuary
