Ernest "Johnny" Clay Younts

Johnny grew up in Climax, NC. At age 5 his mother died of Tuberculosis. Over the next 5 years, he would lose two sisters and one brother to the dreaded disease. At that early age, Johnny developed the toughness, grit and determination that would carry him throughout his life. In his early 20's Johnny was drafted and served his country in the US Army, where he was a WWII veteran. It was during this time that he would meet his future wife, Jean Thomas of Endicott, VA. Upon returning after the war, they married in July 1946. Their union produced two children, Ernie Younts and Rosemary Younts Bray. Johnny was fearless! He was even persuaded by some of his Liberty buddies to drive a racecar in the Southern 500 in Darlington, SC on Labor Day Weekend 1951. After his short racing career of one race, Johnny owned and operated several small businesses in Liberty. Later he was elected to the Liberty Town Council for 14 years. His last term serving as Mayor Pro-Tempore, where he was a great advocate for our little town. After retiring, Johnny and Jean loved to travel and enjoyed visiting with their families. They were both active volunteers with Meals-On-Wheels and the C.A.R.S. Program in Liberty. A stack of plaques and certificates give a nod to his contributions to the Town of Liberty. The Liberty Chamber of Commerce recognized him as the Business Person of the Year in 1998. The Liberty Rotary Club honored him in Appreciation for Service Above Self in 2014. In January 2024 he received a certificate from Liberty Legion Post #81 to mark 78 years of continuous membership. Many words are used to describe Johnny, honesty, integrity, kindness, compassionate to name a few. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and community. He was truly a member of the "Greatest Generation".

He was the son of the late Earl Clay and Erma Fields Younts and was also preceded in death by his grandson, Michael Younts; grandson-in-law, Adam McCauley; sisters, Elizabeth Younts and Mabel Younts; and brothers, George Younts, Carl Younts, Joseph Younts, Lane Younts, Jack Younts, Tom Younts and Hal Younts.

Johnny is survived by his wife of 77 years, Jean Thomas Younts; daughter, Rosemary Bray and her husband, Tommy; son, Ernie Younts and his wife, Elizabeth; three grandchildren, Amy Brown (Kevin), Lauren Thompson (Bennett) and Meredith McCauley; and 11 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Sunday, March 10, 2024 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty, 212 W. Swannanoa Avenue, Liberty, NC. A private burial will be held.

At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Liberty American Legion Post #81, PO Box 42, Liberty, NC 27298 or Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Drive, Asheboro, NC 27203.

Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at www.LoflinFH.com.

Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty is honored to serve the Younts family.