April 27, 1932 – May 27, 2023
U.S. Veterans
A Summary of Life
In 1932, Roy was born on April 27th in Talladega, Alabama, the second of 11 sisters and brothers. He was raised and educated in Anderson, Indiana by his loving Mother. Roy whole heartedly, truly adored and loved his mother, Ms. Mozell Bledsoe Young.
During his schooling Roy excelled in the classroom and sports. He played as many sports as possible while attending Anderson High School. He set many first and initial records in several sports.
In football, Roy was named 1st Team All-League in 1949. In basketball, Roy was a member of the Anderson High School 1950 Sectional Championship Basketball Team. He also played on the 1949 and 1950 Anderson High School Big Four Tourney Championship Basketball Teams. In 1949 they reached the State Finals finishing as State Runner-Up in Class A.
In Track, Roy set individual school records in the High Jump, 120-yard High Hurdles and as a member of the 880 Relay Team. He helped lead the Track Team to a State Runner-Up finish in 1949. As an individual runner, in 1949, he earned Third Place in the 120-High Hurdles, Third Place in the Broad Jump, and Third Place in the High Jump at the Sectional Championship Meet.
Roy would return to compete in the Regional Track Finals in 1950. In the individual heats, Roy competed for the 120 Hurdles and High Jump Titles at the Sectional Championship Meet. He was also a part of the 1950 Track Team which won the Regional Championship.
Roy thoroughly enjoyed competing and being a part of the team. He, along with his award winning and record setting Track mates, would qualify again and again to compete for another Regional and State Track Championship. In 1950, Roy ran the first leg of the winning 880-yard Relay Team and within that same Track Meet; Roy earned First Place in the 120 High Hurdles, running his BEST time ever of 0:015 seconds. First Place in the High Jump; his BEST jump of 6 feet 7/8 inches at the Regional Track Meet. Roy earned an invitation to return to the State Track Meet; he finished Third Place in the 120 High Hurdles and Fifth Place in the High Jump.
After graduating from high school in 1950, Roy joined the United States Army Signal Corp as a High-Speed Radio Operator. While enlisted, Roy played a lot of basketball with his fellow Servicemen. Roy proudly served from 1951-1953. After an Honorable discharge, Roy briefly returned to hometown of Anderson, Indiana.
Then one random day, Roy ran into a childhood friend, a former resident of Anderson that was home visiting. It would turn out that his friend had returned home to bring Roy “good news”. He was a student at Florida A & M University, and the Coaches at FAMU had sent word via the friend, to offer Roy a full Athletic Scholarship for Basketball and Football! Roy was ecstatic! Soo grateful for the opportunity, Roy said “I ACCEPT IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE!!” Roy left town that same day enroute to Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Florida.
Roy entered Florida A & M University on an Athletic Scholarship for Basketball and Football. He played for one year on the Rattlers Football Team. During the 1953 Rattler Football Season, FAMU won the Conference Championship. However, it was Basketball… that held his attention and passion for the game. Roy was graceful, smooth with a basketball in his hands; soo smooth he earned the nickname “The Duke” from his teammates, fellow classmate, and admirers. Duke was a four-year starter on the Rattler Basketball Team. He played an integral role in leading the Rattlers Basketball Team to two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship Teams in 1955 and 1957. Duke led the Rattlers in rebounds four times in four years earning All-Conference Honors each of his four seasons. Duke was the Captain of the Team his Senior year.
While attending FAMU, Roy advanced in track where he competed in Jumps and Hurdles for the Rattlers and held the school record in the High Jump. He was a member of the 1954 and 1957 Rattler Track Teams winning the SIAC Track and Field Championship. Roy won the Individual 120-yard High Hurdles and High Jump in the SIAC Track Meet in 1954. As a Senior he won the High Jump at the Florida A & M Relays with a jump of 6 feet 4 3/4 inches, tying the meet record.
Roy graduated Florida A & M University in 1957, as an Outstanding Scholar and Athlete. In later years, Roy would be inducted into the Florida A & M University Hall of Fame as an Athlete in 1997.
After graduation, Roy went on to graduate from Ball State University in 1966 with a Master’s degree.
While at FAMU, Roy met his future wife, the love of his life, Carolyn. She was also a student at FAMU. Later, they would marry and settle into the newly developed community of Richmond Heights, Miami, Florida. A community of Single-Family Homes established in Honor of Black American Veterans. With Christ as the center stone of their family; Roy and Carolyn would join the Parish of Christ the King Catholic Church. Together they raised four sons Gary, Greg, Damon, and Darryl. Remaining strong in his faith, Roy remained a faithful and loyal member of Christ The King Catholic Church for over 60 years.
Roy began his professional career in Education including Coaching in 1957 at Mays High School in Goulds, Florida. Roy taught Math, Physical Education, and Science. He was the Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach, and Head Coach of Boy’s Track and Field until 1966.
In 1966, Roy went on to work as a Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Track Coach, and later Athletic Director at the NEW totally integrated Miami Killian Senior High. Roy served as Miami Killian Senior High School’s Athletic Director for 20 years. During his tenure as Athletic Director, Miami Killian Senior High won the All-Sports Award Honors for the Top Athletic Programs four times.
Miami Killian Senior High School is where Roy continued to pour into the youth and guide them along their way. Roy enjoyed working with the ‘young people’. He wanted to help everyone he could as they traveled along their journey. Roy’s endearing love for Miami Killian Senior High School could be witnessed in the many activities he attended for both academics and athletics. He was a staple at Killian Football games, rain, or shine. Anyone could find him on the field standing on the sidelines watching the game. At any given game, you could hear someone yelling out from the crowd “Mr. Young! Mr. Young!” waiving frantically to get his attention. At the end of the 1991-1992 school year, quietly and akin to his character, Roy retired with a total of 35 years of service with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
After retirement, Roy did not lounge around and kick his feet up and to no one’s surprise, Roy went on to volunteer employment hours at Briar Bay Golf Club in the Falls in exchange for playing time. Besides playing golf, he spent his leisure time attending many functions, and providing guidance to various organizations in the community.
Roy was a people person and he remembered everyone. He could recall their first and last names, their parents, spouses, children, accomplishments, where they live… he could recall their entire family tree! And somehow some type of way it all led back to Mays High School in Goulds, Florida. At the age of 91 years old, his memory was impressive. He was beloved by the community.
Sailing into his Golden years, Roy remained active by attending the many activities and functions of his Great-Granddaughters; Ali’ah Joi, Kai’la Faith, and Mia’ Hope. Great Papa or G-Papa as he was affectionately called; could be found throughout the community at their various events during the school year and summer months; from their summer camps to swimming lessons to church events to play productions to concerts and graduations G-Papa attended every event, and he enjoyed every bit of it as did they. Being out in the community with their Great Papa or running errands with him; they quickly noticed and learned of his popularity or endearment by others and often returned home saying, “G-Papa knows everybody!” Once at a school function, one even announced, ‘My G-Papa is a celebrity!” Although he was not a celebrity, Roy enjoyed and loved people and they in return loved Mr. Young right back.
As Roy began to slow down, he enjoyed the solitude of being home and relaxing in his LazyBoy chair or talking on the phone with his grandchildren or great-grandchildren or his sons or siblings. He completed his daily word search, crossword puzzles, and he most definingly kept his appointment with Judge Judy and National Geographic. On occasion he enjoyed sitting out in his front yard enjoying the fresh air, which often led to people recognizing him and stopping for a brief conversation asking him, ‘How have you been Mr. Young?”
Roy was respected and admired by many, and he leaves many who were not only colleagues but loyal friends. Roy was a true gentleman with a warm soul and a great love for others. He was a loving man who made many friends throughout his lifetime. He touched many lives and was always ready and willing to help, advise, and support any worthy cause.
Ecclesiastes 7:1 “A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.”
Roy had a strong fondness for working with young adults. He often would tell others, “I enjoyed every step, especially working with the youngsters along the way who needed only encouragement and guidance to reach their goals.” As a true pillar of the community, Roy inspired countless generations of young minds to serve and make a positive and impactful mark in our society.
After a brief illness, in the stillness of Mid-Night, Roy heard the Lord’s voice… ‘Well done’. On Saturday, May 27, 2023, Roy took his last breath to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Roy is preceeded in death by his wife, Carolyn Young in 1999 and a son Gary Young, in 2013.
Roy is survived by his sons: Greg Withers of Indiana, Damon Young of Florida, and Darryl Young of North Carolina; his sisters: Louise, Joyce, Ester, Wilazell; brothers: Cecil and Brock all of Indiana; grand-children: Candy Young Lane of Richmond Heights, Corey Young of Virginia, Cortlyn Young of Maryland, DaRoyce (Colleen) Young of Maryland, Darryl Andre’ Young of Georgia, Greg Withers II of Indiana, Justin (LaTonia) Young of Maryland, Sydra Withers of New York, and Tonita Withers of Indiana; great-grandchildren: Ali’ah Joi, Kai’la Faith, Mia’ Hope, Corey II, Desmond, and Justin Jr.; Still A Daughter: Mildred Ivey Hall of Richmond Heights.
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