Charles Young

Howdy Ags, if you are reading this, I have taken the last Corp trip and marched into heaven behind the great Texas Aggie Band. When I meet St. Peter at the gate, I will tell him it is my birthday and Charles Robert Young, Class of 1966 is present. 

I entered this world on 12/18/43 during a strong ice storm.  My mother, Nell Cunningham Young delivered me at the Jacksonville,TX Hospital. My father, Don Young was the state forester at Maydelle, TX.  Since the ice storm had knocked out power at home, Dad brought my sister Della and brother Don to the hospital along with the family radio to entertain Nell. 

In the late 40’s my Dad got a job with the Texas Forest Service at Texas A&M and we moved to Bryan. I grew up in Bryan and attended Crockett Elementary. My big brother Don Young went to Texas A&M and he taught me all about the Corps of Cadets.  I learned to salute, hit a brace and stand at attention. On my first day of school, I returned home and told my mother I did not like school and did not want to go back.  She asked why. I told her no one knew how to hit a brace and there was no marching, so I wanted to go to A&M.  However, I was persuaded to give first grade another try. 

I enjoyed sports, especially baseball. I played little league baseball and was a catcher. I was a cub scout and enjoyed camping out. I graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan. I enjoyed playing on the SFA tennis team, especially since all the cute girls played tennis. 

Like my brother before me, I entered the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M in 1962. I was interested in science, so I majored in Biochemistry.  I also played on the freshman tennis team for Coach Omar Smith. 

While in college in the 60’s I tried to understand the Civil Rights Movement. I took a bus trip with some other college students and ministers to hear Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King speak. As a white southern boy with a crew cut, I had grown up with whites and had little contact with other races.  I remembered getting in trouble for drinking water out of the Negroes-only fountain outside of Weingarten’s grocery store in Bryan.  I asked a black minister to explain it to me. The minister said “If someone stepped on your hand and you asked him to please move his foot, but he ignored you and again, you asked him to move because it was hurting, but he refused.  Finally, you became angry and demanded the man remove his foot.” This trip and Dr. King’s speech made a profound impact on my life.  

After college I got a job in a lab at the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.  Later, I got hired by Dr. Wendell Landmann working in his lab at the Biochemistry Department. 

On a personal note, I married Kathy Lofgren Young in 1972.  We were blessed with a son, Charles R. Young, Jr. “Rusty” in 1978.  

I followed Dr. Landmann to the Animal Science Department where I worked until I retired.  Following retirement, I worked part time with AgriLife as a computer guy. I enjoyed helping people maximize their time and minimize their frustration by keeping their computers running.

I was predeceased by my parents, Don and Nell Cunningham Young, my brother and sister-in-law Don and Margaret Young, and my brother-in-law, A.B. Nichols. 

I am survived by my wife, Kathy Young and my son, Charles R. Young, Jr. “Rusty”, and his wife, Alison of Meadows Place, TX and their children, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Norah. My sister, Della Nichols also survives me.

Charlie’s memorial service will occur on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 2pm at A&M United Methodist Church. Due to COVID, the family is requesting a private service. All are welcome and encouraged to join via livestream at am-umc.org/watch-live. 

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the Brazos Church Pantry or Hospice Brazos Valley.