Eugene K. "Gene" Young, 88, of Dunbar, went to his heavenly home on Monday, July 12, 2010, at CAMC, Teays Valley Hospital, surrounded by his wife and children.

At 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2010, Rev. Patricia Jarvis will lead a service celebrating Gene's life at the First Presbyterian Church of Dunbar. From 12 to 2 p.m., the family will receive visitors at the church. He will be buried on Sunday, July 25, in a private family service at Koontz Cemetery in Clendenin.

Born in Wellford on October 17, 1921, Gene was the son of William Bruce "Pop" Young and Cora Tucker Young, both of whom preceded him in death. Three siblings also preceded him in death: Nona Mae Logue Clarke, Freda Irene Stone, and Frederick Bruce Young. He is survived by his younger brother, William Conrad "Connie" Young, of Hurricane.

Also surviving him are his wife of 64 years, Shirley Ross Young of Dunbar; his daughter, Judith Young Steurer, and her husband, David, of Bradenton, FL; and his son, Jeffrey Stuart Young, and his wife, Yumi, of Buffalo. He was blessed with three grandchildren, Shawn Board of Lompoc, CA, Kiffin Steurer of Brooklyn, NY, and Samuel Young of Buffalo; four great-grandchildren, Phillip Board, Ciara Board, Micaela Board, and Clemens Steurer; one great-great grandson, Cason Board; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Young graduated from Clendenin High School in 1939. He was a decorated combat veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a tail gunner and waist gunner aboard B-17s in over 100 missions. He was involved in the campaigns of Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, and Air Offensive Europe. In recognition of his heroic wartime service to the United States he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters. Following the war, he began his career at Elk Refinery in Clendenin. He then spent 33 years as a chemical operator, truck driver, and volunteer fireman at Union Carbide, Institute Plant, retiring in 1983.

Gene lived and raised his family in Dunbar where he was active in youth activities, particularly baseball and church league basketball. Nobody was a stranger to Gene. He charmed all he met with his humor—telling stories and "tales" of both real and imagined people and places. Anyone who had a conversation with Gene Young always experienced a joyful, bellyaching laugh; a feeling of warm love and acceptance; and came away with a memory of one who loved life and everyone in it.

During his retirement, Mr. Young spent many hours enjoying his lifelong hobby of painting winter scenes on countless miniature objects, such as wooden spools, bells, and figurines. He joyfully gave away hundreds of pieces of his artwork to relatives, friends, and acquaintances who cherish his art, through which he conveyed his boundless love and generosity to others. His love continues to be felt by many who cherish and display his artwork in their homes.

Mr. Young was a faithful member of Clendenin Methodist Church, Humphreys United Methodist Church, and most recently, First Presbyterian Church of Dunbar. At Humphreys he sang in the church choir and sat on many committees. He served others as a volunteer for his church, Meals on Wheels, and local food pantries. Gene was a good neighbor and was always available to lend his practical knowledge and skills to help family and friends with household projects and emergencies.

Upon his return home from World War II, he became active in American Legion Post 61 in Clendenin, where he served as commander. Upon moving to the Kanawha Valley he transferred his membership to American Legion Post 73 in St. Albans. His current membership was with American Legion Post 27 in Dunbar.

Gene was selected as an Honoree at the Governor's 2008 Civil Rights Day for his contribution in helping to document the history of the Tuskegee Airmen. These famous escort fighter pilots protected him and many other B-17 crewmembers during bombing missions over Germany during World War II. Gene's reflections of these important missions provide a personal perspective of the contribution of these famous flyers in hastening the end to the war on the European Front. In Young's words, they "saved our hides a lot of times."

Gene Young loved his God, his family, his neighbors, and his country. All who were fortunate to know him will miss his smiles, his laugh, his stories, his artwork, and his wisdom. His was certainly a life well lived.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Dr. Samuel Henson, HospiceCare, Putnam Care and Rehabilitation, and CAMC, Teays Valley Hospital, all of whom provided loving care to Gene during the final chapter of his life. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1414 Myers Ave., Dunbar, WV 25064 or HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston, WV 25312.