Jack Young

John (“Jack”) Graham Young, 99

Jack Young passed away peacefully at Grandvue Facility in East Jordan, MI on August 25, two days after a family reunion at his home on Douglas Lake celebrating his 100th year.

He was born in Ann Arbor on December 12, 1915, with his identical twin Robert, to his parents Leigh and Francis Young.

Jack grew up in Ann Arbor, graduating from the University of Michigan where he received a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1939. During college, he joined the ROTC, became a member of Tau Beta Pi and the Society of Les Voyageurs (which he continued to be active in the rest of his life). His first job was with Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York. With the outbreak of WWII, he served in the Army Ordnance Division until he was discharged as a Captain after 5 years of active duty. He resumed his career as a mechanical engineer first in Weedsport, New York, then in Ann Arbor at King-Seeley Corp. He accepted a faculty position in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the U of M in 1953. He taught for a short time, then organized and directed the Engineering Placement Service to help graduating engineers find jobs and provide career counseling, and was president of the Midwest College Placement Association. He retired as Associate Professor Emeritus from the University in 1980.

Jack met his future wife, Elizabeth “Betty” French, at Douglas Lake. They were married in Caro, Michigan in 1941. After the war they moved to Ann Arbor in 1947 where they raised their family, and spent most of their summers at Douglas Lake. Jack was active as a leader in First Presbyterian Church, Boy Scouts, American Youth Hostel and Society of Les Voyageurs. Upon Jack's retirement, they became year-round residents at Douglas Lake and enjoyed traveling throughout the world. He served as an early president of Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and Douglas Lake Improvement Association. He and Betty helped found the northern Michigan chapter of the 70+ Ski Club during the mid-1980’s. He was active in Church of the Straits in Mackinaw City and the Presbytery, and was a delegate to General Assembly. Beginning in 2002 they wintered in Charlevoix next door to their son John, and became active in First Congregational Church, UCC of Charlevoix.

Jack enjoyed competition since his days on the high school swim team to his last NASTAR gold medal in skiing in 2003. He used to race regularly with the Douglas Lake Lightning Fleet and enjoyed sailing his sunfish until he was 90, though he had to give up windsurfing at age 85. Other interests included photography, geology, mountain climbing (he summited the Grand Teton with his 14-year-old son Douglas), and flying. He had a great appreciation for nature, the outdoors, and a love of adventure which he shared with Betty and passed on to all his children.

He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth, his parents Leigh and Francis, his brother Robert, and sister Barbara Steeh.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by his twin daughters Margaret Sauvain and Carol Kautzmann, sons Douglas, Alan, and John, nine grand-children: Jeffrey and Susan Sauvain, Brian, Kathryn and Christopher Young, Orin and Maya Lucas, Elizabeth Sonntag and Edward Kautzmann; and seven great-grandchildren, Hanna and Henry Sauvain, Madison and Nicolas Sonntag, Manuel and Wyatt Lucas, and Meara Kautzmann.

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 5, at First Congregational Church, UCC in Charlevoix.