T. Kenneth Young
June 27, 1930 – May 22, 2023
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM at First Congregational Church, 345 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Visitation hours will take place at the church on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Private interment with full military honors will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Ken’s memory may be given to Kalamazoo Valley Community College Foundation, Timber Ridge Ski Patrol or Centrica Care Navigators.
Obituary
YOUNG, T. Kenneth
Kalamazoo
Age 92, passed away at home on Monday, May 22, 2023. Ken was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 27, 1930, the son of the late S. Kenneth and Laura Belle (Cockburn) Young. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1949 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. Ken served his country honorably in the United States Army. He was employed as a Financial Planner for Northwestern Mutual for 58 years and was a member of the Million Dollar Round Table for 19 years. Ken had a life-long passion for skiing and was a member of the Timber Ridge Ski Patrol for 40 years. He also enjoyed golfing and loved playing in the Friday Golf League with other friends from his HOA community. Ken was a long-time Rotarian of the Rotary Club-Downtown Kalamazoo and served on the Board of Trustees for Kalamazoo Valley Community College for many years. Ken was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be missed dearly by his family. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen “Kathy” A. (Hamilton) Young; his children, Carrie Young, Sally (Dave Centers) Young, Andy Young, Molly (Dave) Williamson and Tim (Mary) Young; step-children, Robin Blanchard, Michael Blanchard and Alan Blanchard; eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his sister, Janice Eschbach-Edwards and his grandson, Aaron Steiner. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM at First Congregational Church, 345 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Visitation hours will take place at the church on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Private interment with full military honors will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Ken’s memory may be given to Kalamazoo Valley Community College Foundation, Timber Ridge Ski Patrol or Centrica Care Navigators.
Kathy, such a joy to meet Kenneth and share some bourbon when we visited you a few years ago. You both looked so happy over the years, doing what you loved, together. All my condolences. Hugs, Gretchen
Ken will be missed. I always found him to be a man of great integrity and he was genuinely kind and generous. My condolences to his family and friends.
To the Young family: We have been out of town and unable to express our condolences in person. The Youngs were good neighbors to us in our early years on Spruce Drive. Ken was always friendly and helpful. We remember one year when he passed out glasses of wine to the adults on Halloween. Please accept our sympathy on Ken’s death and we send a special hello to Carrie and Molly. Holly and Joe Walls
As I understand it, Ken and my dad met in the office at Kalamazoo Central High when they were both enrolling, mid-year. They made a pact to support each other as “new kids” – and became lifelong friends. Ken and my mother shared a birthday, they all celebrated, not every year, and not on the actual day, but they always celebrated. I met Ken and Kathy in my parents’ later years, and so appreciated their continued connection and Ken’s care for them – which translated into care for me. My mom and I liked to think that one’s first 24 hours in heaven included lots of parties to greet old friends. It’s nice to think of them together again. My heart with you, Kathy!