John D. Young

John D. Young left this life on December 24, 2003 after a courageous battle with cancer, pneumonia, and ARDS. He leaves behind his devoted wife of thirty-four years Sharon Hopkins Young, daughters Sally Spring Hartin-Young and husband Tom, Mandy Morning Young, and Betsy Brightstar Young, and black Labrador Wolfgang. John was born on August 2, 1941 in Houston, Texas. He had an idyllic childhood riding his bicycle around Houston and visiting the park and the museum. He spent many years as a Boy Scout and became an Eagle Scout. He received a BA in Economics from Rice University and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Texas. John was past president and current vice president of the Austin Cactus and Succulent Society and founder of the Austin Fern and Cycad Society. He was an avid cactus and fern collector, often sponsoring hiking excursions to search for plants. He had many interests and a great love of learning. He enjoyed listening to and singing along with music, ranging from the Rolling Stones to Wagnerian Operas. His knowledge of and interest in history, plants, sciences, and languages was unparalleled and he was eager to share his knowledge with anyone who would listen. John taught chemistry at Austin Community College for twenty-five years. He was an enthusiastic teacher who genuinely wanted his students to succeed. John was a distinct individual who was never afraid to be himself and to uphold his own high ideals. He was a diehard Democrat who loved to argue politics. He enjoyed chocolate and milk, naps, reading, back-roads, alleys, weather reports, linguistics, and Bulky Trash Pickup Day. He could answer almost any question on almost any subject, beginning his answer with “Once upon a time, there was a Big Bang…” Visitation will be at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on North Lamar on Friday December 26 from 6-8 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, Saturday December 27 at 4 p.m. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, 452-8811