George Young

George Eric (Ag) Young, 91,passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Monday, February 12, 2018.

He was born to George and Doris (Clark) Young on December 27, 1926 in Ashington Northumberland England. He and his family set sail for the United States in 1930 and docked at Ellis Island on Columbus Day 1930. From that day forward, he touched and inspired enough people to have lived several life times.

George married Jean LaRue Robison April 3, 1948 and they raised three children. Jean preceded him in death August 23,1991. He was fortunate to not only have met and married the love of his life, but he later found a life partner of whom he was with for 23 years, Dee Prindable. She preceded him in death on January 20, 2017.

George was also preceded in death by his sister Doreen Strunk, brother Clifford Young, his son George "Eric" Young and Granddaughter Rachel Kellerstrass.

George will be missed and lovingly remembered by his sister, Betty Beveroth, daughters, Lori (Jay) Clatt and Suzanne (Jeff) Taylor, granddaughters, Wendy (Mauricio) Portales, Robin Kellerstrass, Melaina Munoz and Mackenzie Clatt, grandsons, George Eric (Mary) Young, Nicholas Young, Nathaniel Munoz and Ryan Clatt. There are 10 great grandchildren (triple G - Great Grandpa George), several nieces and nephews and many loving friends and family members.

George graduated from Peoria High in June 1944 where he made lifelong friends with whom he had reunions with several times a year. After graduation he joined the Navy 6 months later to serve his country; he was 17 years old. He served aboard the USS Dortch as a radarman in the Pacific Rim during WWII.

After the military, he attended Bradley University and excelled in track and football. He pledged Alpha Pi Fraternity. George was a competitor in the Drake Relays and won the race.

George then jumped in to the family business and in 1957 became the President and CEO of George Young and Sons painting, of which he continued to go to work until he fell ill in August of 2017 and he finally decided to retire.

One of his fondest memories was flying to Washington DC in June of 2014 with the Greater Peoria Honor Flight. 2016 was the year George was selected to be the Grand Marshall of the Peoria Veteran's Day Parade representing WWII. He had a hard time understanding the hoopla over him because as he said," I was only doing what I was supposed to do as an American!" In 1994, he was able to be a part of the Boss Lift which flew him and several other business owners from Peoria to San Diego on a military plan taking only two hours to get there. He experienced refueling the plane in midair. They visited Top Gun, Seal Training as well as other military posts. This was another honor he felt was bestowed upon him.

George was an avid runner, logging 26,000 road miles in 22 years and several thousand more over the course of a lifetime of running. He loved to golf, mow his lawn but his passion was fishing, any time, any place. He and his buddies would drive to Flin Flon Canada every other year to fish for Northern, drink beer, smoke cigars and just be "guys". Later in life he enjoyed visiting with his nephew, Bruce, in Iowa and fishing on the many lakes full of Bass on his farm.

But, most of all, he loved his family and friends. He set a strong example for all of them to live by.

Our family would like to acknowledge our sincere thankfulness and love to Pauline Jere and Maureen Fogerty for all their love, support and help during Dad's illness. We love you.

The Celebration of George Young's amazing life will be held Sunday, March 4, 2018 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at Prairie Lakes Apartments Club House, 1700 W Coneflower Drive, Peoria, Illinois 61615.

In lieu of flowers, donations are accepted for The Greater Peoria Honor Flight. P.O. Box 5072, Peoria, Illinois 61601-5072. To share memories and condolences with the family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.02