Raymond Eugene Young

Raymond E Young of Eagle, Nebraska, passed away in Lincoln on July 31, 2018 at the age of 75. Raymond Eugene Young was born on June 24, 1943 to Eugene C Young and Irene Morris Young at Beatrice Nebraska. Ray attended Beatrice Public Schools and worked for many years in the Beatrice area. His great joy was the interaction with the students at the Beatrice High School where he worked as maintenance and activity bus driver. He enjoyed coaching baseball through the YRI sports program, taking the team to many games and tournaments. For many years he looked forward to guiding hunting trips for out of state hunters.
In 1986, Ray made a life changing decision and began training at Valley Hope in the drug and alcohol counselor program. He served as a counselor for Valley Hope in Norton, Atchison, and Augusta Kansas. His desire to return to Nebraska and be closer to family, led him to the Lincoln VA where he worked as an addiction therapist until 1999 when the inpatient facility. He then transferred to the Grand Island VA where he worked initially as an addiction therapist and then became an outreach counselor throughout the western part of the state. Ray worked the program, taught the program and mentored many in their personal growth and recovery. Ray retired in 2008 due to health struggles, but continued to touch peoples' lives through the 12-step program and friendships.
In his retirement, there was either a phone, fishing pole, coffee cup or paint brush in his hand. His retirement gift was a Bob Ross oil painting starter kit and a gift certificate to a class. He was able to paint a landscape painting for each of his children and many of the grandchildren. Ray especially enjoyed the camaraderie with the "boys" at the coffee shop and loved the great outdoors marveling at the wonderful world God made for us all to enjoy. He felt closest to God when appreciating and watching nature, rock formations and the wonders of the earth. Ray was a member of the Eagle United Methodist Church and served as officer on various boards. He was committed to a life of service to others. He began pursuing his lifelong love of community service as Eagle Village Board Member, always striving to better the community for himself and others. He was recently crowned King of Eagle at the Eagle Fun Days.
Ray was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. Birthdays, gatherings, holidays and picnics with family and friends were special to him. He loved Salt Dogs Baseball, Husker Football, playing cards with friends and grandchildren's' sports activities and programs.
Ray is survived by his wife Linda (Lin) Young, Children: Barbara Young of Beatrice, Cindy Young (Mike Broussard) of Round Rock Texas, Stacey (Todd Ward) of Clinton, Illinois, Jamie Young (Craig Demkey) of Eagle NE, Jeremy (Kandi) Swartz of Fairbury NE, and Lance Swartz of Bruning NE, Brothers Roger (Bonnie) Young of York, PA, Tim (Susan) Young of Cortland NE, Sister Kay (Ron) Benson of Lincoln NE, 22 grandchildren, 11 Great Grandchildren, aunt, uncles and many dear and cherished friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents Eugene C Young and Irene Young Clark, Daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Kevin Snyder and Son, Ryan E. Young.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, August 4, 2018 at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice. Burial in the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice. Visitation from 10-8:00 PM Friday at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with the family greeting friends from 6-8:00, and at the church one hour preceding the service on Saturday. Family prayer service at 1:45 PM Saturday at the church. A memorial has been established to the family's choice with the funeral home in charge. Sign Ray's online guest book and view his video tribute after completed at www.ghchapel.com.
These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.