Young

George Harry (Toke) Young Jr. was born Dec. 12, 1927, to George Harry Young Sr. and Alta Lee Guess Young. He was the youngest of two children born to the couple.

The family lived in the Tracy community in the northwestern part of Milam County where George Sr. was a farmer and rancher.

As a young child, Dad had trouble pronouncing the word “toad frog” instead saying “toke frog.” “Toke” stuck as his nickname for the rest of his life, as all of his friends called him Toke.

He attended school at the former Duncan Community school located at the intersection of County Road 412 and FM 486 in northwestern Milam County. He later attended Sharp school in Sharp where he played football for the Mustangs. He graduated Sharp school in 1945 and got a job for Milam County, driving a dump truck.

On Oct. 6, 1945, Dad met the love of his life, Alice Geneva Kornegay, at a local movie theater. He offered her a ride home from the movie and the two were inseparable thereafter. Mother lived in Minerva and Dad often joked that he had to “swing in on a grapevine” to get to her house.

However, their court ship was interrupted by World War II. Dad joined the Army in 1946 and was promptly shipped to Japan where he was stationed for the duration of his tour. Upon discharge, Dad returned to Seattle by ship where he caught a slow train to Taylor. Upon arrival at Taylor, he hitched a ride to Tracy. His parents had no phone and were surprised to see him walking down the road upon his return.

The two married in Houston, on Feb. 15, 1948, and their love story lasted 67 years.

He worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a telegrapher/clerk for over 40 years. Dad enjoyed the railroad, but he truly loved to farm and ranch at his place in the San Gabriel River bottom in the Tracy community. His railroad job required shift work and he would often work all night at the railroad, come home and work most of the day on his place. Although exhausted, he enjoyed being outside improving the place and raising livestock.

Dad and Mother lived in Rockdale most of their lives where Dad was active in St. John’s United Methodist Church and the Rockdale Masonic Lodge.

When Mother was stricken with Alzheimer’s, Dad inspired us all by the way he lovingly took care of her every need.

A gentleman always, Dad was raised in the Depression and he knew and instilled in his children the value of hard work. He was pragmatic, frugal, humble, and determined. He was fiercely independent throughout his life. He was a patient man with self-taught mechanical skills who could fix just about anything, but a man who had to do things his way. Dad fought his 20-year

Dad fought his 20-year battle with cancer with courage and dignity. He never gave up.

Dad passed away peace fully on May 19, 2021, with his family by his side.

He is survived by his children, Steve Young and his wife, Lynn, of Tracy, Judy Brown of Dime Box; five grandchildren, Jenna Brown Mayfield, Matthew Brown, Michael Brown, Lindsey Witte and Walker Young; and seven great-grandchildren.

Dad was the steadfast “rock” of our family and was always there for wise, pragmatic counsel and support. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Vivian Fields, and son-in-law David Brown.

Visitation was held Saturday, May 22, at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 1700 Hillcrest Dr., Rockdale at 2 p.m., followed by a service at 3 p.m., conducted by Dr. Gregory Nichols. Interment will be at the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Rockdale following the service.

He was the embodiment of a life well-lived; a man of integrity with a quiet sense of purpose. He will be profoundly missed in so many ways, but he leaves an enduring legacy of wise guidance and unconditional love. We will always love and cherish the days we spent with him and the important values of life he instilled in us.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s United Methodist Church, PO Box 168, Rockdale TX 76567.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale.