Elmer Young Jr

A service in remembrance and Celebration of Life for Elmer A Young, 92, of Enid will be Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 10:00 am at the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jim Edmison and Pastor Kim Giles officiating. Interment will follow in the Enid Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home from 6 to 7 PM on Wednesday.

Elmer Anderson Young, Jr. was born in Fairview OK on November 26, 1921 to Elmer and Lucy Young and passed away September 20, 2014 in Enid.

Elmer attended Fairview schools and was a veteran if the United States Army. He served with the 504th Parachute Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, which was an elite group known as the “Devils in Baggy Pants”. He was involved in major combat operations of the 82nd from Sicily to the German surrender in the European theater. Just recently, he was selected as the “2013 Legacy Veteran of the Year”.

After returning home from the war, he married Doris Ritz in 1945, she died in 1947 shortly after giving birth to their son, Jerry. He married Maxine Roten on May 31, 1948 and together with her two sons, Gary and Al, became a family. They were married sixty-five years before her death in September, 2013.

He was employed at Keith Kirten Pontiac and Cadillac for eight years and was a parachute rigger at Vance Air Force Base for thirty years retiring in 1986.

Elmer was a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church where he was integral part of all church activities as well as singing in the church choir. He enjoyed playing his guitar and singing to his grandkids, he also performed at church, nursing homes and jamming with his friends. In the 50’s he was part of a TV show called Abe and Albert and Cousin Elmer which aired on the local TV station (KOCO-TV).

He had many hobbies and interests during his lifetime, with a natural zest for excitement. He enjoyed spending time at the lake, fishing, skiing, camping, boating and riding his Harleys. He took particular pride in teaching his grandchildren to do many of these things. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, teaching them to ski and fish and just camping out and playing games.

He was co-founder of the Enid Sky Divers and along, with his three sons were charter members of the club in the 60’s. He was an FAA master rigger and enjoyed teaching parachute rigging, safety and maintenance to all members. While Elmer enjoyed jumping along with his three sons, Maxine was content to stay on the ground, with a philosophy of “Stand by your Man” attitude, never doubting Elmer’s positive attitude approach to the matters at hand. He will be remembered as a living example of faith, love and understanding with these qualities being embedded in the hearts of his loved ones.

He is preceded in death by a son, Al Young, his parents, his wives, two brothers, Jim and Loren and three sisters Violet, Bonnie and Martha.

Survivors include Gary and Sherry Young and Jerry (Duke) Young of Enid. Seven grandchildren, Kurt & Cindy Young, Enid; Rodney & Susan Young, Norman; Tracy & Paul Henderson, Durango, CO; Jamie Moore, Colorado Springs, CO; Kim Young-Stone and Hillary Young, Florida; Luke & Jackie Young, Massachusetts. and thirteen great grandchildren.

Elmer requested that memorials may be made to the choir at Bethany United Methodist Church. Condolences may be made online at www.ladusauevans.com