John Young, Jr.

John Henderson Young, Jr., age 88, of Ocean Springs, passed away on December 29, 2020. Mr. Young was born in Little Rock, Arkansas to John Henderson Young, Sr. and Ruth Ross Young. He grew up in Jackson, MS where he earned an Eagle Scout Badge and attended Jackson Central High School playing on state championship football teams and running track. He attended Auburn University on a football scholarship until a career-ending injury cut his playing days short. He transferred to USM in Hattiesburg where he graduated with degrees in chemistry and biology. While at USM, Mr. Young won the intramural tennis championship and was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Following graduation, he served in the United States Army stationed in Germany as a medic. Mr. Young moved to Moss Point, MS. to work for Chevron as a Chemist and subsequently moved to Ocean Springs, MS. and was active in both communities. He was a founding member of Wesley Independent Methodist Church, served as girls fast pitch softball league commissioner and coach, was a high school football referee, member of the McDonald’s Saturday Morning Coffee Club, served as an officer in the state cycling association, volunteered with the Friends of Jackson County Animal Shelter Pets and the Gulf Islands National Seashore where he received a plaque for his 15 years of volunteerism. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Ocean Springs. Mr. Young had several interests including cycling, where he met his wife at a cycling event, flying airplanes, and building furniture. His carpentry skills included building two houses for his family. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn Young; children, John Henderson Young, III (Laura), Julie Young Crosland (Craig), Mindy Young Roberts (R. David); stepson, Christopher Scott Vulliet; sister, Harvey Young Fiser; grandchildren, Anna Laura West (Hayden), John Henderson Young, IV (Frances), James Peaster Young, Pearce Berry Crosland, Claire Craig Crosland, Selah Marymarie Roberts, Ralph David Roberts, IV, Clark Alexander Roberts; and a great grandson, Luke Lowry West. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021, at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd. at Washington Avenue at 9:30 am. Friends may visit one hour prior. Interment in Biloxi National Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of Jackson County Animal Shelter Pets, 2953 Bienville Blvd, #134, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Lemoyne at Washington Avenue, is serving the family.