Mr. Charles Herbert Young, Sr., a resident of Pleasant Ridge (Daviess County), Kentucky was born on July 6, 1922, in Youngstown, Ohio, as the third of seven children born to Herbert Medford and Rachel Jane (Brannon) Young. Charles’ parents were originally from Daviess County and eventually they relocated to Ohio for employment opportunities before returning to their Pleasant Ridge homestead years later.
Charles publicly professed his love to Christ at a young age. Because of their loving parents and the influence of both sets of their grandparents, who were also active members of Pleasant Point Baptist Church, he and his siblings started their spiritual journey there.
Charles completed his education at Western High School in Owensboro, Kentucky, surrounded by his close relatives and friends whom he frequently mentioned and “remembered so vividly”. He, together with his father and brother William, owned and operated a trucking company that provided transportation services for multiple companies.
In 1940, Charles enlisted in the military services and dutifully served his country in the U.S. Army throughout World War II as a proficient gunnery specialist. He was a distinguished veteran who served abroad in London and Germany. He was proud to serve as a driver on the Red Ball Express, a truck convoy that operated for 82 consecutive days, swiftly transporting supplies to allied forces throughout Europe after the “D-Day” invasion in Normandy in 1944. He drove 400 miles in 24 hours, seven days a week, using 14-wheeler vehicles. In March 1945, his regiment was sent from Germany to Japan when the atomic assault occurred in Tokyo.
Private Young, who was assigned to a station in Battle Creek, Michigan, had the opportunity to attend a USO in the adjacent city of Chicago, Illinois. It was during this tour that he met Lula Mae Davis from Jackson, Mississippi, who would become the love of his life. They were later married and to this union, they were blessed with one son, Charles, Jr. (affectionately known as “Squeaky”). Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Charles and Lula acquired land and moved near his parents to Kentucky.
Charles and his childhood friend Jonah Willingham, wanted to visit his oldest sister Mary Elizabeth (affectionately known as “Sister”) in Cleveland, Ohio. They were so impressed with the city, they secured employment and relocated there with their families. Charles was employed with the Cleveland Transit System/Brooklyn Branch (RTA) for 50 years before retiring from his supervisor position. While in Cleveland he connected with the Friendship Baptist Church and the Trinity Baptist Church where he thoroughly enjoyed their worship services. In his retiring years, he enjoyed hearing the Word of God preached. He also delighted in reading different translations of the Bible and purchasing numerous devotional books to read at his leisure.
Charles enjoyed spending time with his family, and he eagerly anticipated the yearly “Zachariah and Margaret Elizabeth Young Family Reunion” as well as the celebration of their mother Rachel’s birthdays. He loved traveling and sharing the Christmas holidays with the family.
He regularly called family just to chit-chat or to see how they were doing, particularly with his younger sister Clara Jane. Prior to her passing, they would engage in multiple conversations each day.
Charles, a connoisseur of wine, thoroughly enjoyed the chance to make several batches, especially when his brothers or nephews visited his basement mancave to play billiards and cards. Charles derived pleasure from watching western movies, sports, and staying abreast on current events. He had a strong affinity for high-quality music (Jazz) and enjoyed engaging in mind stimulating activities such as playing Pinochle, Bid Whist, Chess, and participating in skeet/trap shooting.
Charles was a passionate and successful bowler who consistently won in league competitions. The family always prioritized bowling during every family reunion. He and his brothers (all league players) were at times unable to compete with the skills of their sister Clara Jane and a few of their nieces. Charles also enjoyed his Chrysler produced vehicles, especially the New Yorker style. They loved to travel visiting family especially to his parents’ home and to Lula’s family in Mississippi.
The relocation of Charles’s extended family to Kentucky was motivated by his desire to be in closer proximity to his mother. Additionally, his brother-in-law Lawrence Davis lived with them which allowed them to provide care for him as well. Charles came back and regained his place as a faithful member of his childhood church, Pleasant Point Baptist of Utica, KY, where generations of his family have gathered and attended. He held the position as Treasurer for many years, even though he did not physically attend church during “Covid 19”, he was still able to maintain his position. Among various volunteer ministries he has been the Men’s Day Co-Chair with his son Charles, Jr. Each Sunday after church, Charles loved to take a group of church members out to dinner with him. Each year on his birthday family and friends would join him at the restaurant of his choice, which was always Red Lobster.
Sargent Young was selected to participate in the 2022 Honor Flight of Southern Indiana, which commemorates and honors military veterans by inviting them to visit the nation’s capital and to tour the monuments, including the WWII Memorial. As he achieved the extraordinary milestone of becoming a Centenarian, our 46th U.S. President, Joe Biden, Jr., recognized him with birthday greetings and Governor Andrew G. Beshear honored Young as a distinguished Kentucky Colonel. Charles, along with Maxie Barnes and W.A. Howard, was interviewed for the Daviess County 200 Year Anniversary Book in the section which acknowledged the contributions of WWII African American Veterans. He has received many accolades for his contribution to the U.S. Armed Forces. The NAACP was one of his numerous organizations with which he was involved.
As the morning sun began to shine on Monday, June 24, 2024, Charles Herbert Young, Sr., departed to his heavenly home from the Owensboro Health Regional Hospital surrounded by the overwhelming love of his son Charles, Jr. and family. Charles rejoins his loving wife, Lula Mae; his parents; his sisters: Mary Elizabeth Young-Solomon, Bertha Louise Young and Clara Jane Young-Huff; brothers: William Henderson Young, Sr., Harry T. Young, Rev. James Robert Young, Sr.
Charles’ loving and warm personality allowed him to touch many lives, he was never one to meet a stranger. His foundational scripture is Luke 6:31, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That was a mantra that he took to heart. He was a devoted and affectionate servant of God who will be sincerely missed. He and his son, Squeaky, shared an exceptionally special bond. “No love is greater than that of a father for his son.”
The family was immensely proud to recognize and commemorate the life of another family Centenarian, as his mother, Rachel, lived to the age of 102. The family held him (Charles Sr) in high regard and found him to be quite humorous. We honor him as the patriarch of the Young Family of Zachariah and Margaret Elizabeth (Gilliam).
He leaves to cherish his legacy and memories: his loving son, Charles, Jr., of Pleasant Ridge, KY; one sister in love, Lorraine Skates-Young of Hephzibah, GA; and an enormous host of heartbroken nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong church members and friends.