Fred Young Obituary, Death – Fred Young, 60, Springfield, died peacefully at his home on April 28, 2022. He was born on April 29, 1961, in Chicago to Jack and Bonnie Rice Young and had two sisters, Patricia and Kimberly. He attended Mendel Catholic High School for Boys and went on to attend Bradley University in Peoria where he met and married his first wife Jolanda, and mother to his daughter Janai.
In 1994, Fred met Heidi May, and together they made their home in Springfield, marrying and becoming proud parents to Jack Frederick who, along with Janai, were his pride and joy. Fred enjoyed traveling and made multiple trips to Disney, Elvis Week in Memphis, and most recently, celebrated his 60th birthday in Tar Heel Country, where he was able to walk the University of North Carolina campus and see the Dean Dome.
Fred loved people, basketball, his family, and God. He had a heart for mission work and traveled yearly to the Dominican Republic with his Koke Mill Christian Church family. He had long standing friendships with many at church; and an especially close friendship with Pastor Stan Summers who was always available with encouragement and words of advice. Fred never entered the church without handing out hugs to all!
Fred had a successful career in the mortgage industry, working for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage – recently celebrating 20 years of service. He was an avid basketball player and as time went on, he focused his love of the game on becoming a referee and sharing this love with a younger generation of athletes.
More than anything in the world, Fred loved his family. He was always available to his children, grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, his sister Kim, cousin LeRoy, his Auntie Armo and Auntie Nell, and to his beloved mom, Bonnie. Fred worked tirelessly to take care of those he loved and never hesitated to give of himself, his time, and his resources.
Preceding Fred in death were his sister Pat and his father Jack. Fred leaves behind an army of people who loved him, from lifelong friends at Wells Fargo, to his church family, and his family, Heidi Young and Jack Young, both of Springfield, Janai (Stephen) Chatman of Houston, Texas, and his 3 sweet granddaughters, Sariya, Kinsley, and Jaide.
Fred would not want friends and family to be sad but rather take comfort in that he knew the Lord and is rejoicing in seeing his father and sister again.
The family will meet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 2, at Koke Mill Christian Church, 475 South Koke Mill Road, in Springfield. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Jack Young Education Fund being established at PNC Bank in Springfield. The Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
