Jay D. Young, 74, of Greenville, passed away Wednesday evening, January 11, 2023, at SMSM St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at the Greenville First Christian Church. Pastors Darryl Bolen and Jerry Coleman will officiate.
Interment will follow in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Greenville.
Visitation will be held Tuesday at the church from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Donnell – Wiegand Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers and plants, please make memorials to AMVETS, Bond County Academic Foundation or FFA Illinois Chapter. Memorials may be made in person or mailed to Donnell – Wiegand Funeral Home, 203 West Oak Street, Greenville, Illinois 62246.
Jay was born Joseph Doyle “JD” Hart on February 13, 1948, in Big Clifty, Kentucky, where he spent his first 5 years, one of 9 children. Jay was adopted by Chafin R. and Oradelle (Anthony) Young, moving to Greenville at the age of 9.
Jay was an integral part of the Bond County Unit 2 School district nearly his entire life, first as a student and an athlete, then as a teacher. Later he became an administrator, and after his retirement in 2004, served 12 years on the school board. His dedication to education, to BCCU # 2, and to the students was evident. Jay continued to be both a learner and a teacher even in retirement. He loved researching different plants and animals and explaining living things on the farm to visitors, especially to his grand and great grandchildren, in addition to the children of many friends.
He was an avid gardener, enjoying trying different varieties, especially of tomatoes, and sharing the bounty of the garden with everyone. He also enjoyed growing varieties of flowers and trees. Following in his dad’s footsteps, he raised beef cattle, closely studying blood lines to develop desired characteristics in his herd.
Jay was a graduate of Greenville High School with the class of 1966. During his high school career, he played basketball for the Comets, culminating with his induction into the Comets Basketball Hall of Fame. Following graduation from high school, he served in the US Air Force from 1967 to 1970, spending one year in Thailand during the Viet Nam conflict. He was trained as an avionics technician, working on various aircraft including his favorite, the reconnaissance aircraft, the SR-71.
Upon returning home, he attended Greenville College, where he once again played basketball, becoming a stand-out for the Greenville College Panthers team. He graduated with honors in 3 years, after which he accepted a teaching position at Greenville High School. In 1992 he completed his Master’s degree in Educational Administration from SIUE.
Jay married Pamela Thompson in 1967, and they had two sons. They later divorced. He and Mary (Kersch) Metzger were united in marriage on July 4, 1989, at the First Christian Church in Greenville.
Both Pam and Mary survive as do his sons: Tony D. Young and wife Tammy of Greenville, and Tyler D. Young of Greenville, as well as step -sons Nate D. Metzger and wife Sarah of Bevercreek, Ohio, and Alan B. Metzger and wife Jill of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Jay was the loving grandpa to: Ashley (Eric) Bagsby, and Allison Young, as well as to step grandchildren Drew, Reese , and Trey Metzger, and Shelby and Morgan Metzger. He was “PaPa Jay Jay” to: Broty Johnson, and to Matthew, Victoria, and Thomas Bagsby. He is also survived by siblings: Edith, Rex, Judy, Brenda, Doug, Steve, and Vic.
His sister Mabel preceded him in death.
Despite his quiet and unassuming demeanor, Jay touched many lives with his gentle wisdom, his generosity, and his quick wit. He positively influenced countless people in the Greenville community and beyond, and will be sorely missed.