Howard Calvin Young

Howard Calvin Young (January 25, 1920 – April 9, 2012) was born to Adolph A. Young and Christine J. (Price) Young on January 25, 1920 in Willeford, Arkansas. He moved to Los Angeles County, California in 1942 and started working for North American Aviation/Rockwell International /Boeing. In 1944, Howard joined the Army and served in the 152nd Regiment, 38th Infantry Division. By the time he was discharged in 1946, Howard had received the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star, World War II Victory medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal, and Good Conduct medal.

After his discharge, Howard returned to North American Aviation. Howard moved his family to the Antelope Valley in the fall of 1972, where he worked with both the B-1 Division and the Space Shuttle “Columbia” program until his retirement from Rockwell in July 1980.

Howard was married three times. On October 26, 1992, Howard married Maria R. (“Rose”) Neri in Las Vegas, Nevada. Howard was diagnosed with dementia related Alzheimer’s disease in 2001. He was cared for at home by his wife and secondary caregiver, Barbara Kilbourn, until April 2007, when a fall and subsequent hip surgery required placement at Antelope Valley Care Center. His wife continued to care for him, with the help of the compassionate staff at AVCC, until his death. Howard will be remembered as a loving husband, father, stepfather and grandfather, who was highly regarded by all those who knew him.

Howard is survived by his wife of almost 20 years, Rose Young; daughter, Frances Truxillo, of Oildale, California; son, David Young, of Las Vegas, Nevada; stepdaughter, Margarita (Darwin) Moon, of Friendswood, Texas; stepson, Gerardo (Tiffany) Neri, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and stepdaughter, Sylvia (Kevin) Marsh of Mission Viejo, California. Howard is also survived by six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Howard is predeceased by his parents, first wife Anna F. Young, stepson Marvin Bergvall, and grandson Charles Bargunier.

Graveside services with military honors will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at 10:15 a.m. at Joshua Memorial Park, St. Jude Garden, Lancaster, California. Mourners are encouraged to wear purple. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Howard’s memory (www.alz.org).