John O. "J.O." Young, Jr. Obituary (1922

John O "J.O." Young, Jr., 93, died January 28, 2016. He was born May 18, 1922, to John Oscar and LaVerda Read Young, in Nampa, Idaho. J. O.'s father worked for Morrison Knudson and they lived many different places but he graduated from Nampa High in 1940. He signed up with Morrison Knudson in 1941, to work on Wake Island. Wake Island was bombed right after Pearl Harbor and Dad was one of the civilian defenders who fought alongside the US Marines for 16 days. He spent the next 45 months as a prisoner of war in China and Japan. He married his high-school sweetheart, Pearl Ann Sparks, November 9, 1945, in the LDS Salt Lake Temple and raised his family in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He worked with his father and brothers in J. O. Young and Sons, construction, for several years and then worked in sales. Dad was very proud of the fact that J.O. Young & Sons built the Snake River Stampede and the first phase of Nampa High School. They also built many bridges and housing complexes. Dad was very civic minded and served in both the Nampa and Mountain Home communities where he lived. Dad and friend Ken Johns were instrumental in the beginnings of Air Force Appreciation Day in Mountain Home. He served with the Chamber of Commerce and was even a PTA president. He wrote many letters to the editor and "Ida Chatter.' Many times, Dad, had the opportunity to educate youth and others about Wake Island and his POW experiences. He felt what he had learned about the US flag was one of his most important messages. One morning, the flag, was flying on Wake Island. The next morning is was stuffed in a fish net and used as a doorstop. His quote was, "One thing we found out right away was that where 'Old Glory' did not fly, there was no freedom." Dad loved Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings in the church and was always missionary minded. Dad and Mom served two LDS missions, Singapore, where they served in India, Malaysia and Indonesia, and in the Puerto Rico Mission, where they served on the St. Thomas Island. He and Mom raised their children to love God, Country and to serve others. Dad loved his family, whistling, singing silly songs, and ice cream. In fact, a local drive-in had a milkshake called the, 'J.O. Special.' He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Charles Read and Henry Dale Young; daughter, Jayna Young, son, John Sparks Young, son-in-law, David Kipper, and great-grandchildren, Marrisa and Esther. He is survived by, Pearl, his wife of 70 years; their children: Janeen Young Kipper (David), Julieann Young Andrews (David), Jolynn Young Peterson (Bruce), James Kenneth Young(Virginia), Jorjette Young Bostrom (LaMont), Jeffrey Allen Young (Debbie), and Jody Young Morris (Scott), 41 grandchildren, and 89 great-grandchildren (so far). The family would like to express special thanks for the wonderful care given to J.O. by the staff at Kindred Care in Nampa and for the great service given by Jim Vance and the Wake Islanders. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 5, at the Nampa Eleventh Ward LDS Chapel, 121 N Canyon in Nampa. A viewing will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 4 at Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N Midland Blvd, Nampa and at the church from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Friday, prior to the services. To express condolences or to read the full obituary please visit zeyerfuneralchapel.com. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Missionary Fund at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15 E. South Temple St. JSMB2E, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 Service: Friday, February 5, 2016 2:00 p.m. Nampa 11th Ward LDS Chapel 121 N. Canyon Nampa, Idaho Visitation: Thursday, February 4, 2016 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. And at the Church Friday 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. Prior to the Services Zeyer Funeral Chapel 83 N Midland Blvd Nampa, Idaho