Jim Young, 89, of Salem, beloved husband, father and grandfather, went to be with his Lord on Friday, June 12, 2020. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 63 years, Barbara Pultz Young, and three daughters: Debbie Harris (Rick) of Jasper, GA; Becky Garrison (Jim) of Double Oak, TX; and Cindy Courtright (Mark) of Hardy, VA. Also, son-in-law Rick Harman of Roanoke, VA; eight grandchildren: Grace Garrison Guajardo (Jessie), Julie and Clark Garrison, Brandon, Cara, Jake and Michael Harman, and Johnny Courtright; two sisters-in-law, Judy Young and Anne Roesch, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by daughter Cathy Harman, parents William R. Young and Marie P. Young, and brother William R. Young, Jr.
He loved spending time with his family. Cross-country motorhome trips and 50 years of gatherings at Smith Mountain Lake kept the family entertained and close-knit. Barbara and Jim enjoyed traveling the world together and playing tennis and bridge with lifelong friends from high school.
He was a 1949 graduate of Andrew Lewis High School, where he lettered in football and baseball. He earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia, where he played on the varsity football team for three years and was a member of the Raven Society, IMP Society, and SAE fraternity.
In the Korean War, Jim served his country in the U.S. Army as company commander of a transportation unit. He continued in the Army Reserves for 22 years, retiring as lieutenant colonel.
Jim was a partner in the law firm of Dodson Pence Viar Young & Woodrum in Roanoke until 1994, when he returned to Salem for private practice. He continued to help his valued clients into his 80s.
Jim was a respected, influential leader of the community he loved and served. He was president of Salem Jaycees, Salem Kiwanis, Salem-Roanoke County Bar Association, Roanoke County Council of PTAs, Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce, and Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership. He was the first president of the new Salem High School PTA and served on the Roanoke College Planned Giving Board. Also, he was chairman of the Salem Electoral Board for 15 years.
He served the Boy Scouts of America in many capacities over a 50-year span. Jim was president of the Blue Ridge Mountains Council, served as the council’s attorney for many years, and chaired the Service Center Building Committee. He was so proud that two of his grandsons earned the Eagle Scout rank.
A member of Salem Presbyterian Church for more than 70 years, he served as deacon, elder, trustee and Sunday School teacher.
Jim received many accolades, including The Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, Silver Beaver Award of the Boy Scouts of America, and Economic Development Partnership Citizen of the Year. He was inducted into the Salem High Alumni Hall of Fame and was a lifetime member of the VA PTA. An accomplished tennis player, he was a three-year Virginia USTA doubles champion in the 75-80-year-old division and a two-year champion in the 80-plus age group.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the following organizations that were dear to his heart, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, c/o Catherine Young Harman Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 8934, Roanoke, VA 24014; Foundation for Roanoke Valley Pultz-Young Memorial Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 1159, Roanoke, VA 24006; Salem Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 536, Salem, VA 24153; or to the Boy Scouts of America Blue Ridge Mountains Council, 2131 Valley View Blvd. NW, Roanoke, VA 24012.
A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at Sherwood Memorial Park, 1250 E. Main Street, Salem, with the Rev. Janet Chisom of Salem Presbyterian Church officiating. An online guestbook is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
Jim will be missed greatly and remembered for his generosity and servant's heart.