Lt. Col. (Retired) Troy Richard Young died on June 26, 2022 at the age of 85.
He was born on March 11, 1937 to Morris and Vivian Dugger Young in Amory, Ms.
He attended school and graduated from Amory High School. He attended University of Southern Mississippi, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, and later pursued a career in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1958, he married Sue Spencer Young, and they became the parents of two daughters and a son. He was a devoted husband and father and maintained his residence in El Paso, Texas. After retiring from the Army, he began an additional career with U.S. Civil Service, from which he also retired.
Troy was a man of service, both to his country and communities in which he resided. He was active in his church as a Bible study teacher and later became very active in the Royal Rangers church-sponsored youth program and attained several leadership roles. His interest in archery led him to teach the sport and later to establish El Paso Archery, dealing with archery equipment and becoming a certified archery instructor. For many years, he created beautiful pieces of furniture through his interest in woodworking.
After the passing of his beloved wife Sue, he became an avid motorcyclist and purchased a CanAm Spyder and took trips to New Mexico Franklin Mountains and other nearby destinations. He enjoyed the outdoors and later moved to the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon, purchasing a cabin at a small lake, and began a project to update and modernize it to become a cozy, comfortable home. He later married Margo Herd, a resident of Meacham and a teacher of the challenges of mountain living, to which he became well adapted. He told his friends there were three seasons in Meacham – snow, mud, and dust – and they occasionally repeated themselves during the year. His most recent best friends were Bruno, Luna, and Princess.
He is survived by his wife, Margo; two daughters, Vivian Blankenship and Melissa Flenniken; a son, Troy Christopher (Dina); grandchildren, Bethany, Ryan, Alison, Ashley, Troy Douglas, and Lily; and brothers, Charles, Danny, and Jimmy.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sue; granddaughter, Leslie Noel Blankenship; son-in-law, Rick Blankenship; and pups, Bear and Dolly.
A graveside service with military honors is planned at 10:30 a.m., July 19, 2022 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.
