Richard “Dick” Douglas Youngs, a long-time resident of Hurley, New Mexico and most recently of Tucson, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 14TH in Tucson. A Celebration of a Life well lived will be conducted at Terrazas Funeral Chapel on Friday, January 3rd at 1:00 pm followed by burial at Fort Bayard National Cemetery at 2:00 pm.
Mr. Youngs was born July 9th, 1926 in the town of Northeast, Pennsylvania to Richard Harland and Sarah McDonald (Thompson) Youngs. Mr. Youngs would spend his early years attending school and enjoying many adventures on their farm with his brothers and sisters, most notoriously with “Harley’s” boys, Dick, Art and Dan. Mr. Youngs' schooling would be interrupted however, as at the age of 17, he would enlist in the United States Navy and served from 1943 until 1946. Education was always very important to him though and many years later he would complete his GED and attend classes at Western New Mexico University.
Mr. Youngs' first duty assignment was aboard the LST 290. This assignment would be short lived however. During shakedown maneuvers off the East Coast the 290 would collide with a tanker in the fog. Although severely damaged, the crew took the measures necessary to keep the ship float until it could be placed in dry dock for repairs. Mr. Youngs would sustain injuries in the collision however and was hospitalized and sent home to convalesce. Upon returning to active duty, Mr. Youngs would be assigned to the LST 947 or Lucky 7 as it was called, where his duties included coxswain on an LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel) and as a pointer on a 20 mm antiaircraft gun and a Boatswains Mate. This involved, “piping” different notifications on the ship using a boatswain’s pipe.
Mr. Youngs would be involved in the invasion of Okinawa as a coxswain piloting his craft from ship to shore with radio equipment guiding the other boats to the beach He was proud to wear the Amphibious Forces patch which indicated that he had trained to fight alongside the marines should their boat become disabled. During the invasion, Mr. Youngs would experience Japans newest weapon, the Kamikaze. His service would see him as a participant of the forces involved in the Occupation of Japan.
Mr. Youngs would return to the town of North East upon his discharge where he worked and drove a truck with his Dad, hauling produce between New York and Florida. Later, while working at Welch’s Fruit Company, he found time to play on the Welch’s baseball team.
In 1948, he would marry and with his wife and daughter, Frances, would move to Silver City, New Mexico. This marriage would see the birth of three sons, Douglas, Jerry and Gregory. He drove a truck for his brother-in-law, Ted, who had a distributorship in Silver City, drove heavy equipment for Isabel Construction at the Santa Rita mine and would become an employee of Community Public Service (CPS) now known as PNM, as a serviceman. He would give 36 years of loyal service to this company and would retire in April of 1988.
During his many years in Grant County, Mr. Youngs was involved in many activities the majority of which he designed around his 3 sons. As a single father he knew the perils and pitfalls of raising children alone and worked extremely hard to that end.
He served as a scoutmaster for Troop 102 in Hurley. Here he provided an opportunity for many young scouts to experience the outdoors, service to the community and learn that hard work and fun can co-exist. He was a little league coach and coached three Allstar teams during this time. Mr. Youngs belonged to the Hurley Kiwanis, the Swing-thru Square Dance Club and “Hurley Pride”. He also contributed much time to the Hurley Community Church.
In 1969, Mr. Youngs would begin the courtship of Dorothy Lee (Johnson) McNutt. They would marry in August of 1970 in Hurley and begin a relationship that would span almost 50 years. They shared many wonderful times RVing, taking cruises and visiting family as well as attending reunions with his crewmates. Through it all one thing remained perfectly clear. She was his very best friend and was his forever love.
Mr. Youngs was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Martha, Analee and June and brother, Dan, a son, Jerry and Granddaughter Danika.
Mr. Youngs is survived by two brothers, Art of Rockport, Texas and David of Northeast, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by five children Frances, Douglas, Greg (Barbara), Iris and Maryann (Rick). He also is survived by 14 Grandchildren and 16 Great-Grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be celebrated on Friday, January 3rd at 1pm at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with Pastor Don Larson officiating. Concluding service and inurnment will follow at Fort Bayard National Cemetery with full military honors. Serving as pall bearers will be Richard Schampers, Justin (Brad) Wilson, James (Chris) Wilson, Jared Schampers, (Gregory) Kyle Youngs, and Kathryn Youngs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Hurley Community Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 875, Hurley, New Mexico, 88043.
Cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.
RSS Feed
