Thomas Wayne Young

Thomas Wayne Young, 65, of Kingsburg, Calif., passed away at home following a short illness on Dec. 15, 2012. Tommy was born in Wichita, Kans., to parents Farrel and Lavenia Young. His grandparents, Avner and Gertrude Jackson were longtime residents of Springdale, Ark. His father served in the U.S. Army during WWII and afterwards settled in Wichita for a short time, but after Tommy's birth they returned to Tommy's mother's family home in the Rogers, Lowell and Springdale area. His father worked for Jones Truck Lines for many years. Tommy began his education in Bethel School, a two-room school, north of Springdale. When he was in 6th grade, he moved into Springdale, where he where he completed his education, graduating from Springdale High School. He was a good student and excelled at football and was co-captain his senior year. He was a member of the "S" club and Key Club. Tommy graduated in 1965. He loved mechanics, fast cars and drag racing, so he worked in a gas station on the corner of Emma and U.S. 71 following graduation, where he could pursue this past-time. After he married in 1966, he went to work for International Harvester of Springdale, pursuing his love of mechanics, but learning new and different things. Later, he went to work as shop foreman for the Truck Center of Fayetteville. He married Rebecca Goodwin from Bentonville. Together they had four children, Leslie, Tommy Jr., Matthew and Mark. In 1975, he moved his family to California, where he continued his career working for International Harvester of Fresno, until opening his own business, Young's Diesel Service, also located in Fresno. In 1995, he and Becky followed a dream and moved to Hobart, Alaska, with the intention of staying five years, sometimes living in very remote locations. He continued his work, but grew his skills to working on heavy equipment. He retired 17 years later and returned to their home in Kingsburg, Calif. Tommy is survived by his wife of 46 years, Becky; daughter, Leslie and son-in-law, Craig Carpenter; sons, Thomas Jr., Matthew and daughter-in-law, Kristen, and Mark and daughter-in-law, Staci, all of Kingsburg, Calif.; brothers, Charles Young of Springdale, Clifford Young of Bentonville and Steven Young of Dallas, Texas; sister, Gayle Gay of Springdale; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Sonny and Jimmy. He was a quiet and kind man, well-respected master mechanic, loving husband and father. He was known to his grandchildren as Poppy Tom. A memorial service was held for Tommy on Dec. 21, 2012. Burial will be at a later time in Kingsburg, Calif.