Norman Wilfred Young

Norm was born in Portland, Oregon, to Wilfred "Bud" and Ethelyn Young on Valentine's Day, 1939. Norm graduated from Franklin High School in Portland in 1957 and attended PSU. Norm and Linda met at the Portland Foursquare church in 1958 and married in 1964. While living in the Portland area, they were members of Portland Foursquare Church and later the Beaverton Foursquare Church. In the 1970s, Norm left his position in the banking industry, and he and Linda relocated to Dallas, Texas for fourteen years, where Norm worked for Christ For The Nations. After their tenure at CFN, Norm and Linda returned to the Portland area and moved to Lake Oswego.

In 1991, the Young's founded Global Assistance, a non-governmental organization. Over the next fifteen years, Global sent more than one thousand shipments of life-saving food, medical supplies, clothing, and vehicles into Eastern Europe and Russia. Global Assistance also funded surgeries for children, child sponsorship programs, refurbished orphanages, supported summer youth camps, and became involved in the Belarusian Children's Fund.

In 2005, Global Assistance expanded its operations into Africa. Since then, Global Assistance has sent humanitarian aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars to numerous African countries partnering with international organizations that serve people in need worldwide. In addition to humanitarian relief efforts, Global Assistance has also participated in international evangelical outreaches.

Without a doubt, Africa won Norm's heart. He was moved by the humanitarian needs of Africa's people and committed to the deep relationships he forged there throughout his lifetime. In the same way that Africa captured Norm's heart, Norm captured ours. Norm traveled to more than 100 countries during his life. Despite battling his illness, Norm renewed his passport in preparation for his next trip to Africa. He never got that passport stamp and never made that trip. Norm and his Creator had bigger plans. Norm left us around 10pm on February 6, 2024. His travel plans did not require a passport or an airline ticket. Norman Wilfred Young had a divine appointment with his heavenly Father.

Norm had a brother and a nephew who predeceased him. Norm is survived by his wife, Linda, one niece, one nephew, two great-nieces, and three great-nephews.

A memorial service for Norman will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Finley Sunset Hills Mortuary, 6801 SW Sunset Hwy, Portland, OR 97225 in the Great Hall. A reception will follow immediately in the Godiva Room at Finley Sunset Hills.

Please share your condolences, warm memories, and cherished photos on this page. All contributions posted here by March 22, 2024 will be printed in a hardcover book for the Young family.