Memorial Service for David Young

David Edward Young, 86, peacefully passed away at his home on October 1, 2026. He had been and was surrounded by family during his last few weeks. David was born in Beaumont, Texas, on February 6, 1940. An only child, he grew up with his friends from school and Westminster Presbyterian church and his dear cousins. Because he loved baseball, even as a young child, he studied the box scores and statistics in the newspaper and learned how to read before attending school. David remembered fondly, "Since I already knew how to read, my first grade teacher let me read whatever I wanted to."

He attended Edwards Elementary School where his mother was a teacher of mathematics. He played Little League baseball during the summer and was president of his class at Bowie Jr. High. At French High School, he continued to combine athletic and scholastic accomplishments. He was an all-district catcher, a pitcher, and a home run hitter in baseball, and he won three letters in basketball and football. He was a school leader, serving as president of his class, and a class favorite. He was also an honor student, winning history and science awards, and graduating as valedictorian in 1958.

David attended Baylor University on a baseball scholarship and majored in chemistry. He was active on campus and served as president of his fraternity In his senior year. He was selected as Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and was named one of the top 12 chemistry students in the nation by the American Chemical Society. Because of his academic attainments, he was awarded a graduate science fellowship to The Ohio State University and studied with Sheldon Shore. He received a PhD in chemistry in 1967.

His first position was as Director of Research for Allied Chemical Corporation in Denville, New Jersey. In 1972, he moved to Glendale in Cincinnati and was promoted to vice-president and technical director for Shepherd Chemical Company. He retired from Shepherd in 1982 and became a consultant for public utilities. After reuniting and marrying his college sweetheart, Susan Johnsen, he returned to Austin, Texas in 1984. In 1989, he and his wife, Susan, joined the Baylor faculty as teachers, he in chemistry and she in educational psychology. He was beloved by his students, honored as a distinguished professor, and provided individual honors using "pink flamingoes." He retired from Baylor in 2012. Many of his students later became his physicians.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Zetta Turner Young and David Wheeler Young of Beaumont. He is survived by his devoted wife, Susan Kay Johnsen, their loving daughters, Melissa (Molly) Young and her husband Kyle Harmer of Salt Lake City, Rebecca Lesley Leach and her husband David Leach of Cincinnati, their loving son, James David Young of Baltimore and their two granddaughters, Paige Meyer of Denver and Marlo Harmer of Salt Lake City. He is also survived by many cousins and friends.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Bluebonnet Hospice, Home Instead, and Dr. Michael Loden, his primary care physician and former student, for their compassionate care. A graveside service for immediate family will be held in Dallas followed on October 7 followed by a Memorial Service celebrating David's life at First Presbyterian Church in Waco on October 8, Thursday, at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David's honor to the Chemistry Department at Baylor University, First Presbyterian Church in Waco, or a charity of choice.