Dorothy came into this life on a cool September 5th day in a small cabin in the Jemez Mountains of Northern New Mexico. She was born to the late Archie Jonathon Johnson and Mary Kohout and would tell you many stories about growing up on the New Mexico ranch with her older brother, Billy. When she was seven her parents separated and she accompanied her mother to Stamford, Texas to live with family. Billy remained with his father. While in Stamford, she enjoyed running around with her cousins and maintained contact with them throughout their lives. She loved to attend the annual family reunions in Stamford and reminisce with her cousins.
Later, she and her mother moved to El Paso, Texas. As a teenager, Dorothy worked for the railroad in El Paso, where she met and married I.M. (Mac) McNutt. Dorothy remained in El Paso while Mac served in the Army during WWII. They had two beautiful daughters together, Iris and Mary Ann, and eventually settled in Hurley, New Mexico in 1947. Mac died at an early age in 1966. Dorothy remained a single mother for several years but always managed to see that her daughters were well taken care of.
Dorothy loved to sew and was an accomplished seamstress. She sewed for her daughters and herself and there were always new outfits for the start of school, Easter and special occasions even during the leanest of times. She sewed for the community and did alterations for the Hurley Store and local laundry. Rainbow Girls formals, prom dresses and even the occasional wedding dress would magically appear from her old Kenmore sewing machine.
In 1969, Dorothy would be courted by Richard D. Youngs and they would marry in August of 1970 in Hurley and begin a relationship that would span almost 50 years. They took many vacations together with their blended families. They shared many wonderful times together, RVing, taking cruises and visiting family as well as attending reunions with Richard’s WWII crew mates. They lived in Hurley for most of their relationship, until moving to Tucson in recent years to be near Iris and her boys. Richard preceded her in death in December, 2019.
Dorothy retired from The Grant County Bank in 1989 where she was employed for 28 years. She was Senior Loan Officer and Branch Manager when she retired. Through this employment and other activities, Dorothy developed many friendships in Grant County, many of whom she maintained contact with until the end. Dorothy was active in many organizations in the Grant County area. She was a member of the Swing Thru Square Dance Club and she and her husband traveled to many places for large square dance gatherings. She assisted her husband with Kiwanis Club activities, including the delivery of Christmas baskets to the needy every year. Dorothy was active in the Hurley Community Church and served on the Board of Directors and was their treasurer for many years. Dorothy was also active in the Hurley Pride and was instrumental in helping the organization to revitalize Hurley.
After raising two girls it came as quite a shock when she was presented with the first grandson, then a second. The antics of the first two paved the way for all the rest. She adored them all and nothing made her laugh harder than listening to their stories.
Dorothy is survived by her two daughters, Iris Wilson and Mary Ann (Rick) Schampers, her stepson Greg (Barbara) Youngs, six grandchildren; Justin Bradley Wilson (Karla), James Christopher Wilson (Tammie), Jared Schampers (Melanie), Jessica Schampers McCartney, Gregory Kyle Youngs (Alicia), and Katie Youngs Loring (Josh). Dorothy is also survived by 14 great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Billy Johnson, her husband Mac McNutt, her late husband, Richard D. Youngs, and a granddaughter, Danika Lee Wilson. Due to COVID-19, services will be postponed until it is safer to gather.
Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory “.