Martin Kent Young, 66, a resident of Hurley, NM died peacefully at Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City, NM on Saturday, December 22, 2012 after battling liver disease for nearly a year. He went into the next life, once again strong and healthy.
Martin was born August 16, 1946 in Ypsilanti Michigan to William and V. Colleen Young. He was raised in Evart, Michigan. In high school he participated and lettered in basketball, baseball, football and track, graduating from Evart High School in June 1964. He served in the US Army from 1966-1968 stationed in Germany. After his military discharge Marty began a career in telephone communications, working for Michigan Bell Telephone in Cadillac, Michigan and later, US West and Qwest in Tucson, AZ where he retired after 31 yrs of service. Marty married the former Gail Engler on September 9, 1972 in Tustin, Michigan, making their home in the Engler family farmstead, where their two sons were born. In August 1981 Marty and his family relocated to Tucson, AZ. In 2004, they bought a home in Hurley, NM and spent five years remodeling it. After retirement, Marty and Gail lived and traveled in their RV for ten years, spent the summer months working in campgrounds all over the United States, until his health deteriorated. The winter months were spent at home in NM, where Marty worked on remodeling their retirement home and was especially proud of the completed project. Marty was an avid reader, especially anything pertaining to the Civil War. Having grown up in Michigan’s changing seasons, he embraced the many changes and experiences of living on southwest desert. In his hometown Hurley, he will be remembered by his many friends in the small village where he was in regular attendance of the morning coffee gathering at the Gateway Restaurant. Throughout his illness, these friends watched over him, providing support, friendship and a great deal of happiness. He will be remembered as a good and decent man who deeply loved his family, friends and life.
Left surviving and to remember him, are his wife of forty yrs, Gail of Hurley; his sons, Marcus and Arden Young; three granddaughters, Daniella, Katie and Robin all of Tucson, AZ. Being their grandfather brought him so much pride and joy. Surviving siblings; brothers, Tracey, Michael and Charles; one sister, Rachel Costello all living in Michigan; brother-in-law, Bruce Engler; sister-in-law, Patricia Engler Byers of Tustin, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Rebecca Young.
Per his wishes, cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory. Inurnment will be Friday, January 4th at 11:30am at Fort Bayard National Cemetery with full military honors. A memorial service will be held Friday, January 4th at 2pm Hurley Community Church with Rev. Robert Ihlefeld officiating.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.