Rev. George Young Jr

The Rev. George Dibrell Young Jr., known to many as Father George, was born Feb. 26, 1925, in St. Augustine, Fla., and died peacefully on Friday, March 28, 2014 in Chattanooga. He was 89 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Eunice Young, of St. Augustine; his wife, Peggy of 57 years; and daughter Lucy. He is survived by four children, daughter, Elizabeth (Monty) Adams, of Alto, Tenn.; son, George (Kammy) Young III, of Sewanee, Tenn.; daughter, Joanna Cox, of Lexington, Ky.; and son, David (Pat) Young, of Roanoke, Va.; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He attended the University of the South until he joined the United States Army, serving in Europe during World War II. After the war, he returned to the University of the South and finished his undergraduate studies as a member of the class of 1949. Upon graduation, he attended General Seminary of New York, attaining a Masters of Divinity, and in 1952, he was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church. He served at St. Mary's in Madison, Florida and St. James in Perry, Florida from 1952 to 1955. He served as Rector of the Church of Our Saviour in Mandarin, Fla., from 1955 to 1972. In 1972, he became the assistant chaplain and a teacher at Jacksonville Episcopal High School. After many years of teaching, he retired, serving as associate rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, Fla., until 2013. Father George was loved, admired, and respected by all and will be greatly missed. He was a wise and gentle soul, yet a witty and spirited man. He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, a deeply committed member of his church, an avid golfer, a ravenous reader and seeker of knowledge and, he could make a piano sing. His profound yet often humorous sermons, stories and jokes left impressions on all. The positive impact he made on all those he knew and ministered to through the church and his teaching career was monumental. In his later years, he spent much of his time researching genealogy, leaving behind a thorough history of and for his family. His legacy will endure to us and to all those whose lives he touched. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Saint Johns Cathedral in Jacksonville, Fla. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that gifts be given to Camp Weed, The Episcopal School of Jacksonville, and All Saints Episcopal Church of Jacksonville, Fla.