Freddie Weldon Young

Weldon was born in Loop, TX on January 2, 1934. He always said he had the easiest birthday to remember. His mother, Rosa Sawyer Young and father, Fred Davis Young, raised him and his two younger brothers on a farm in Bledsoe, TX, where he developed a passion for designing and building things, creatively using whatever material was handy on the farm. He was aptly named as he loved to weld and to spend time in his garage building things, including go-carts from scratch for both his children and grandchildren. He continued to tinker in his garage into his 87th year.

Weldon earned his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University. During the early 50’s, his draft number was called, but his employer convinced the Pentagon his skills would be better utilized developing the next generation of military equipment. He received a special exemption and spent the next 54 years working to make the country safer. He worked on projects from the Apollo Mission to the Drone program. Some of his handiwork still resides on the moon’s surface.

Weldon was a lifelong learner. While raising his kids, he earned a Masters degee in Electrical Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology. In the 1980’s, when personal computers were first available, he taught himself to code and developed a custom program to track his business’ performance. He was also interested in hydroponic and aquaponic gardening. He raised tilapia in tanks with vegetables growing in planters on top. He also delved into making his own kombucha.

Weldon is also remembered for his love of God and Church. He was a Sunday School teacher and deacon for many years at First Baptist Melbourne. He was involved with the Florida Baptist Disaster relief program. He spent time cutting down trees and repairing roofs after hurricanes. He was an avid photographer and videographer. He recorded and photographed many church services, baptisms and mission trips. He enjoyed going on short term mission trips to Panama and Romania in order to share the gospel. After retirement, at the age of 79, he moved to Panama in order to become a full-time missionary. We know he rejoicing with his Lord and Savior now.

Weldon was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Louis Bruce Young. He is survived by his wife of 31 years Margaret Head Young; his brother Edsel Young (Rita); children Deborah Worzalla (Robert), Spencer Young (David), Allison Zabransky (Doug), Kirk Martin (Lisa), Suzanne Calhoun-Bilbo, Rusty Martin (Gail), fourteen grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He will be lovingly remembered for his kindness, patience, generosity, sense of humor and love.

A memorial service will be on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Grace Baptist Church, 1300 Ceitus Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33991.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to There is Hope Foundation, 610 Ladowick Ct, Moore SC 29369 or First Baptist Melbourne.