Kenneth (Ken) Ross Young, age 86, died February 2, 2023 in Wilmington, Delaware. He passed peacefully at Christiana Care Hospice Center after a couple weeks stay at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Elsmere, Delaware. He is survived by his wife Moyra of 65 years, his children, Kendra, Jon (Heather), Kyle and 4 grandchildren: Callan, Kate, Emerson and Alec. His family was his greatest pride and absolutely everything to him.
Aside from his family, his service to the military was one of his proudest achievements. He was born, September 23, 1936 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada to Jon Pirie Young and Esther Dorothy Louisa Lunn. He grew up in Montreal and Fort Erie, Ontario, and began his military career with the Canadian Air Cadets where he discovered a love of flying and obtained his private pilot license. In 1958 he married Mary Scott McCallum, his Scottish love known most often as Moyra. Living near the border, he secured a U.S. Work Permit making him subject to the draft, he volunteered to join the U.S. Air Force which eventually gave him American Citizenship. After basic training in San Antonio, Texas he was stationed at England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana. He spent four years as part of the 622nd Air Refueling Squadron flying in KB50 Aerial Refueling Tankers, supporting fighter jets heading overseas. Before his tour expired he became a first-time father and made the decision to enroll at Louisiana State University, where he obtained a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. This career change led to moves to Wisconsin, Connecticut and eventually Upstate New York where he enjoyed a lengthy career in the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning industry as an engineer with The Trane Company.
Always seeking to better himself and provide for his beloved family, in 1984 he stepped into entrepreneurship and opened his own computer business in Rochester, New York, which he ran for more than twenty years. When he wasn’t pursuing his career, he was busy with various sports like tennis, squash and snow skiing. He was also an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and nature (with the exception of squirrels, with whom he had a lifetime battle over birdseed and bird feeders). His favorite trips were to the Adirondack Mountains in New York, the Canadian Boundary Waters in Minnesota, Alaska, Costa Rica, Scotland and the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California.
He also took great pleasure over the years worshiping the Lord in song when he sang in his church choirs. Traditional hymns and Christmas candlelight services were favorites. He wasn’t one to talk about his faith openly, but he could be counted on throughout his life to let his actions do the talking. He loved to serve others and could often be found helping in his community with home repairs and projects.
Ken also loved to laugh and have fun, the dance floor was no exception. He was often the first to raise a toast at a family wedding, then get the dancing started where he and Moyra would cut a rug all night long.
The family will pay tribute with a small, private service on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 in Wilmington, Delaware where he will be recognized by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. The family invites you to use this opportunity to express your love to those in your life who you hold most dear.
