Bernard W. “Barney” Young, age 64, formerly of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Sunday afternoon, April 8, 2012, at the Leesburg Regional Medical Center in Florida following a brief and unexpected illness.
On September 14, 1947, Barney was born in Marion, the only son of four children of the late William D. and Alice L. (Wade) Young.
He graduated from Marion Harding High School in the Class of 1966.
Having the gift of gab, Barney was an outstanding customer service representative at both G.T.E. and Verizon in Marion for over 25 years. He had worked there in many other capacities as well, until his retirement in 2001. His ability to care for his customers, earned him many “sell points”, which he used to take many memorable trips to places like Hawaii.
When the company was still known as G.T.E., Barney found himself quite fond of another fellow employee there, Jackie Severns Tuttle. They quickly found that they were a match made in heaven, and Barney and Jackie were married on August 23, 1986, at the Greenwood United Methodist Church. They have cherished and embraced every moment of their 25 years together.
After becoming baptized at an early age, Barney “lived his faith, through not only his beliefs, but also his actions”. He lived a life of devotion to his Lord and Savior, and was always ready to share his testimony with anyone and everyone. He was a member of the First Church of the Brethren, where he served as their treasurer for over 15 years. He had also attended the Crosswood United Methodist Church recently.
Special in so many ways, Barney had a lifelong determination to overcome every obstacle he faced due to his condition of spina bifida. “You truly couldn’t tell him he couldn’t do something, because he would make certain to prove you wrong.” To say, he was “amazing” would be an understatement, as “he rose above all expectations”.
One major hurdle for Barney was learning to and finding a car he could drive. Once, he earned his license and got his car with a hand controls, there was truly no stopping him. “Driving changed his life, opening his world up to new and opportunities he had only dreamed of.”
Wanting to improve the lives of others, Barney was a member and past president of the Handicap Awareness Association, where he was instrumental in helping to build eight handicap accessible apartments in Marion. These apartments are now run by Goodwill Industries, which he also become a member of, and helped to start their annual wheel-a-thon fundraiser. He had also been a member of the Ohio Council of Churches Disability Task Force, and served as a Big Brother to three young boys.
Always bettering himself, later in life Barney earned his Associate’s degree in Accounting from Marion Technical College, and his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1994 from Ashland University.
To say Barney was a sports enthusiast would most certainly be putting it mildly. He was an avid Ohio State University Buckeye and Marion Harding Presidents football and basketball fan. He especially enjoyed being allowed on the track to watch the football games at Marion Harding, and was always ready to give their team his testimony, which had to have been an overwhelmingly motivational speech if it came from Barney.
With a love for adventure, Barney enjoyed his extensive travels to places like the Caribbean and the 1997 Rose Bowl in Tempe, Arizona, and 3 trips to Hawaii. He was also a food connoisseur, trying new restaurants and new items at his favorite restaurants, with one constant, Jackie always by his side.
Living life to its fullest, Barney “had done it all” and there was never a boring moment with him. He had an great sense of humor, and his ornery streak which was a mile long, only fed into his ability to get a laugh out of you. You couldn’t help it, you had to love Barney! He was a bright shining star, and there will never be another quite like him.
Barney will forever be missed by his beloved wife, Jackie Young of Leesburg, FL; two children: Timothy (Mikki Paxton) Tuttle of Caledonia, and Amy (Therese Martin) Goddard of Marion; six grandchildren: Dalton and Jarod Tuttle, Cobie and Aliyah Goddard, and Noah and Sam Paxton; two adopted grandchildren: Zachariah and Rebekah Younkin; three sisters: Barbara (Clinton) Gill of Willoughby, Beverly Young of Marion, and Betty Jo (Robert) Medley of Marion; his mother-in-law, Eleanore Severns of Marion; numerous nieces and nephews; and way too many dear friends to be able to mention them all.
The Young family will greet friends from 4 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at the Crosswood United Methodist Church, 1551 Richland Road, Marion, Ohio. Services celebrating his homecoming will be held on Friday, at 10:30 a.m., at the First Church of the Brethren, 860 E. Church St., Marion, with Pastor Brooke Hilliard and Minister Russell Howard officiating. Burial will follow in Marion Cemetery.
For Barney, it would be more than appropriate if family and friends wore their favorite OSU attire, showing your own OSU pride, to his services.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice, any charity that touches your heart…like Barney did.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Barney’s family, and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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