Obituary of Jimmy A. Young

ILION – Jimmy A. Young, age 78, of Ilion passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, January 24, 2022. Jimmy was born on May 21, 1943 in Fairfield, N.Y., the son of Edward J. and Ella (Eckert) Young and attended West Winfield High School where he was a stand-out track & field, basketball and football athlete. Jimmy was a proud, but humble U.S. Marine, bravely enlisting and serving at the height of the Vietnam Conflict, receiving the Purple Heart as well as other honors. It made him happy and proud to support other family members who joined the Marines and other military branches, and he so enjoyed hearing their stories and sharing in their accomplishments. Jimmy was a member of the American Legion and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Jimmy worked as a truck driver at Pacemaker Steel of Utica and then Jim Bonnell Trucking of Little Falls, but his passion was always farming, spending his time in later years at Collins Pride Holsteins in Millers Mills and keeping up with the Hoard’s Dairyman magazines loaned to him. In his retirement Jimmy took much pleasure from spending time with family and friends. Before the pandemic his favorite pastime was heading to Turning Stone Casino or Vernon Downs, enjoying lunch and dreaming of hitting it big. He liked to hunt deer for many years, but believe it or not, had in recent years become interested in the British Royal family, voraciously reading any magazine articles he could get his hands on with gossip about its members. Sitting at his kitchen table Jimmy loved to look at his wall filled with pictures and invitations of all those he loved and cherished. His apartment was filled with other photos and albums and cards that everyone gave to him, appreciating that people took the time to keep him involved in their lives. Family meant everything. Jimmy is survived by many family members including his four sons, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Jimmy Young II (Jenn) and Joseph (FaithAnn) Young with Patty (Wheelock) Young gave him grandchildren Stephanie, Marie, Jimmy III and Jessica, as well as Victoria and Brady. Jimmy’s sons Eric (Jenn) Young and Ryan Young with Pattie (Crave-Young) Roberts gave him grandchildren Mya and Jackson. Jimmy was born into a special family that thrived to fifteen siblings! He is predeceased by Sonny, Nancy(Gould), Norma, and Bonnie(King), but many have still been around to share in the laughter and tears. They include his three brothers Jack Young of Millers Mills, Danny (Viyada) Young of Millers Mills and Dick (Peg) Young of Clayville. His cherished sisters include Betty(Albert) Herringshaw of Richfield Springs, Barbara Miller of North Carolina, Donna(Bob) Frazier of Washington State, Kay(Don) Davenport of Oregon, Fay Shook of Texas, Joann(John) Putney of Fairfield and Peggy(Bob) Wheelock of Litchfield; many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. Friends and relatives are invited to a Celebration of Jimmy’s Life and Graveside Service with Military Honors, at 2:30 p.m., Friday, May 27, 2022, at the Cedarville Cemetery. A funeral gathering will follow the service. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Jimmy, or add to his online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com. Memorial contributions can be made in Jimmy’s name to the Ed and Ella Young Scholarship fund, c/o Mount Markham Foundation, 500 Fairground Road, West Winfield, NY 13491. Jimmy’s service arrangements are entrusted to his Family Funeral Director, Don Applegate, at Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location, at 102 West St., Ilion, NY (315-895-7722).