HARTVILLE – David “Dave” Clifton Young, 65, of Hartville was called to his eternal home on Sunday, Aug. 1 at The Colorado Blood Cancer Institute in Denver, Colorado.
David was born in Sidney, Nebraska, on Saturday, June 2, 1956, the son of Andrew Germany and Marguerite DeGeest. In 1958, Dave joined the Young family where Don Young became his forever dad.
The majority of David’s early education was completed in Gurley, Nebraska. He graduated from Gurley High School in 1974. Although he never returned to live in Gurley, he remained a Pirate at heart. It was at their graduation that Kari and Dave made the “74 Promise” that came to fruition when they married June 24, 2006, in Guernsey.
David’s life work revolved around the signal department of Burlington Northern Railroad; his career spanned the decades of the 1970s through the present. He moved up through the ranks starting as a crew signalman, to a signal supervisor on the Powder River Division. In 2000 Dave left BNSF for other signal opportunities including Railroad Controls Limited, Twin Cities Signals, and later established Young Essential Signal Services until his passing.
David was a man of uncomplicated faith, he studied the word of God and used it to travel his daily road. Prayer was both a comfort and necessity in his life. He was a God-fearing man who cared deeply for his fellow man.
Dave had a quick wit and edgy humor, the simplest pleasures in life brought him joy, he was completely content on the pontoon with his fishing pole in hand, and his RV on the shore. He loved a quiet evening in the hot tub with a cigar in one hand and a cocktail in the other, however, David rarely shied away from a party and the boisterous side of life as well. His attitude towards life is best described by some of his favorite sayings: “Go big or go home,” “Play it fast and loose,” “It’s an adventure,” “I might have overreacted…again.”
David had a passionate love affair for good food, good music, good liquor, good friends, good times, and any kind of ice cream.
Dave is survived by his wife, Karen “Kari” Young; sons, Tory (Loraine) Deichert and Jeff (Katie) Deichert; daughters, Carly (Lowell) Shutt and Kodi Gerhold; siblings, Trudy (Bob) Ketteler, Ann Prime, Monty (Susan) Young, Dennis (Cora) Berry, Pam (Paul) Logan; grandchildren, Kane Morgan, Aidan Noggle, Graysen, Lauren, and Lucas Martin, Ryan, Reese, and Rhett Deichert, Alex, Nicholas, and Zachary Deichert, Crosby and Taylor Shutt, and Leah Combs; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Marguerite Young; in-laws, Clay and Gladys Berry; daughter, Kira Martin; grandson, DLJ; and granddaughter, Brook Shutt.
Dave’s life will be celebrated with:
Prayers and rosary were on Saturday, August 7, at 6 p.m. at the Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church Guernsey.
Funeral mass was on Sunday, August 8, at 2 p.m., at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Guernsey.
A celebration of life following the funeral at Dave and Kari’s Railyard in Hartville.
Attire for the funeral is to match that of Dave’s personality – shorts and flip flops are welcome.
A memorial has been established To Be the Match National Marrow Donor Program in Dave’s honor.
David has left a beacon of light for all of us whose lives he touched. The sound of David chanting “Goooo Biiiig Reeeed” will be echoing in our hearts forever.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.
