Dates
John David (Jake) Young, of San Angelo, passed away to the arms of the Lord on August 5, 2024. He was born August 21, 1932, in San Angelo, Texas to Ollie Richard Young and Velma Thigpen Young.
Jake’s parents helped to build the original home of San Angelo’s Harris Ave. Baptist Church where they attended and were charter members. Jake was the last surviving charter member.
A highlight of Jake’s childhood was participating in the Little Olympics Relays, where he earned a 1st place medal, just as – to his great delight – his grandchildren would do many years later.
At the age of 18, Jake joined the Navy, serving until his father’s death less than 2 years later. He received an honorable discharge to return home to care for his mother and young sister. On November 24, 1955, Jake married Gloria Ann Bitner, with whom he raised three loving children in the house his father built on S. Archer Street. He served as a valued member of the San Angelo Police Dept. from 1966 until his retirement in 1992. One of Jake’s greatest joys was becoming “Poppa” to his seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He loved watching them grow and enjoyed camping, hunting, and adventuring with them, as well as cheering them on at all their school events over the years. He was a man of many talents, including welding, teaching his grandson the basics and making many trailers and smokers with and for friends and family. A lifelong barterer, collector, and lover of local history, Jake amassed a trove of unique artifacts and treasures which will live on and be cherished by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Some of the indigenous artifacts in his collection are now on display at the Fort Concho Museum in San Angelo. Jake was also an avid outdoorsman. His adventures ranged from his own back yard all the way to Alaska & Canada, making lifelong memories with cherished friends and family members.
Jake was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Donald Richard Young, his sister, Judy Raye Vick. He is survived by Gloria, his wife of nearly 69 years and their three children, Cynthia Bulloch (Mike) of Horseshoe Bay, David Young (Mitzi) of Fredericksburg, and Carolyn (Susie) duBois (Chris) of Killeen, granddaughter Kirsten Joyner (Tim) and children Rowan, Lydia, Elanor and Edmund, granddaughter Brook duBois (Roy Scheeren), grandson Jerrod duBois (Taylor) and daughter Amelia, grandson Jake Young (Genevieve Miura), grandson Shane Young (Abi), step-granddaughter Christi Copeland and her children Harper and Haddie, and step-grandson Taylor Bulloch (Mandi Goldwing) and their daughter Bryn, as well as his sister-in-law, Dottie Young. Jake was also a favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Johnson’s Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens, led by Rev. Neil Connor and special, long-time friend, Russell Smith.