Donald R. “Buck” Young
courtesy photo
Buck Young
POLSON — Donald R. “Buck” Young passed away peacefully on Dec. 15, 2013, at home surrounded by his wife Toni and family, after battling metastatic melanoma. We have lost his indomitable spirit and zest for life. He was born on Aug. 1 in Newark, Ohio, to George and Florence Young, joining much older siblings Bill, Evelyn and Eileen, who have all passed away.
Buck attended schools in Newark where he learned his life-long passion for basketball, baseball and golf. He attended Baldwin Wallace, studying engineering on a basketball scholarship, going on to play semi-pro ball for a few years and later was a referee in his spare time. Buck was passionate about the game and spent most of his life coaching and teaching kids of all ages. He taught them how to perfect not only their shots and to play their best but also how to become responsible adults by putting life lessons into his teaching. He had an amazingly generous heart and a very funny sense of humor. He served in the US Army as a combat engineer and was stationed in Korea after the war and while there he was asked to play in the Far East Basketball Games in Okinawa, a huge thrill for him.
Buck worked for Owens Corning in Newark, Ohio, at their Fiberglass insulation plant for many years before transferring to the Science and Technology Center in Granville, Ohio, as the purchasing manager in charge of chemicals and construction projects.
When he retired he moved with his wife Toni to Montana to be closer to her family and play on Flathead Lake, Polson’s beautiful golf course, ski in the mountains and just sit on his deck watching the beauty of this amazing place in Montana. He never forgot Ohio, making a few trips each year there, but his heart was truly awestruck by Montana. Buck spent countless hours volunteering for the Flathead Lake 3 on 3, the PHS Booster Club, Sunday open gyms, hand placing the original bricks at the PHS Sports Complex. He also volunteered at basketball, volleyball, track and golf events for Share the Spirit and all of the many volunteer organizations that his wife Toni belongs to. He loved giving of his time and talents for the enjoyment of others and supporting his community.
The family would like to thank the nursing staff of St. Joseph Hospital and Partners’ Hospice for their compassion and gentle, loving care.
Zachary, Buck’s son, passed away in March of this year, the same week Buck was diagnosed with aggressive melanoma. His wife Toni, stepdaughters Vanessa Hayward (Jeff) and Charity Reese (Austin) and granddaughter Nadia Reese survive him. His grandson Zachariah Young (Kim) and their children Kyla, Talon and Caden; granddaughter Tessa Young Harris and her children Carson and Addlynn; his niece Joanne Bevacqua (Bob); his nephew Mike Young (Susie); as well as Toni’s many siblings and their families, also survive him.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 3, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Polson, with a lunch to follow. Please join us and share your memories. Memorials may be made to the Greater Polson Community Foundation for scholarship in Buck’s name. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
