Sgt. Clarence Elvin "Shorty" Young, Sr.

Sgt. Clarence Elvin “Shorty” Young, Sr.,Veteran, 89, of Columbus, Georgia went home Wednesday, October 19, 2016. The family will receive friends at 10:00 am on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 with services by Pastor Jack Foran at 11:00 am at Vance-Brooks Funeral Home, 4048 Macon Rd, Columbus, GA. Full military services will conclude at Fort Benning Cemetery.

Clarence was born October 12, 1927 in Martinsville, Nacogdoches County, in the great state of Texas to the late Ambrose B. Young and Alma Cordova Young. He was the firstborn of one brother, Jimmy Ray Young of Lufkin, Texas, and one infant sister. He grew up farming and started his first job at a service station at age 14. He tried to enlist in the Army but at 5 feet, 1 inch, and 124 pounds he was denied. He was drafted at age 18 and served 20 years in the United States Army with one tour in Korea and two in Vietnam. He served as a cook, a mess sergeant, and a helicopter mechanic with many flying hours in combat. He served in Germany, Alaska, North Carolina, Colorado, Texas, and retired in 1970 at Fort Benning, Georgia. He worked 15 years for Carl Subler Trucking Company driving throughout the continental United States. After retiring again, he managed one of the mess halls at Fort Benning. When he decided to finally retire altogether, he opened his own lawn service and also grew some of the best tomatoes known to man.

Sgt. “Shorty” Young learned about the saving grace freely offered by Jesus Christ and began working as a disciple serving in the Columbus area and was a member of Evangel Temple Assembly of God. He especially loved transporting injured children to the Shriner’s Children Hospitals. He was a member of Mount Herman Lodge, a life member of the Disable American Veterans, and a life member of the Association of the United States Army.

 After his parents and siblings, Mr. Young is preceded in death by his loving wife, Jeanette DeBardelaben Young; his sons and daughter: Joseph, Michael, and Christella; and his great-grandson, Caden Sanders.

Survivors include his children: Carolyn Young (Columbus), Clarence Elvin and Jeanette Young, Jr. (Columbus), David and Tessie Young (Prairie Village, KS), Matthew and Dawanna Collins (Waverly Hall, GA), and Rolando and Jo Rita Canelón (Lake Park, GA).

 Fifteen grandchildren: Heather Worrell, Travis Young, April Reese, Amy Harrell, Holly Boulette, Jennifer Widdows, Shannon Young, Joseph Young, Daniel Young, Rolando Canelón, José Canelón, Jeremy Tripp, Tabetha Collins, Terri Sue Sanders, and Matthew Collins, Jr.

Fourteen greatgrandchildren: Haley Worrell, Hadleigh Worrell, Hope Worrell, Jason Harrell, Stephanie Harrell, Travis Young, Jr., Lotus West, Jaykob Reese, Jackson Reese, Gracie Boulette, Ivan Widdows, Lucille Widdows, Kamille Trip, and Scarlet Tripp.

Mr. Young was honored that his daughter-inlaw, Dawanna Collins, Granddaughter, Jennifer Widdows, and grandson, Matthew T. Collins, Jr. served in the United State Army.

 In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, POB 1525, Ranson, WV, 25438, 855-401-4987, www. shrinershospitalforchildren. org OR Gideons International, POB 140800, Nashville, TN 37214, 615- 564-5000, www.gideons. org .

Those so desiring to extend condolences may visit www. vancebrooksfuneralhome. net.