Robert Lowell Young

Robert Lowell Young “Bob”, age 72, of Whiteville, NC, passed away peacefully at home with family on December 31, 2020. He was born on September 4, 1948 in Martinsville, VA to the late Ethel (Bouldin) and Thomas Lowell Young. Bobby made many wonderful memories with family and friends growing up in Horsepasture, VA. He was a standout athlete at Drewry Mason High School, where he played football, basketball and his favorite sport, baseball.  In basketball, his team played for the Virginia State Championship two years in a row. In baseball his team reached the semi-finals for the Connie Mack World Series title in Kilgore, TX.  Bob served as president of student government for Drewry Mason High School and graduated in 1966. He went on to play the sport he loved at the college level, holding down second base for Wake Forest University and Campbell University. Bob married the love of his life, Janice Jordan Young on August 10, 1969, and two years later in 1971, graduated from Campbell University with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education. He went on to earn his Masters of Arts in Education from Appalachian State University, where he was also the baseball graduate assistant coach. Shortly after graduating, Bob accepted a position with Southeastern Community College, and moved with Janice to Whiteville, NC where they began their family and have lived for 40+ years. 

Bob held multiple positions at SCC in his 30+ year career, beginning as baseball coach and a dedicated instructor, and later moving into administrative roles. He retired in 2001 as Vice President of Instructional Services and Institutional Advancement. Bob was a pioneer at SCC and for the North Carolina Community College System in the use of electronic data retrieval for the planning and evaluation process. 

Bob was an avid golfer, fisherman and sports fan, who thrived on competition. His interests extended beyond sports to science and wonders of the natural world, politics, and simply being with friends and family whom he loved deeply. A conversation with Bob would quickly find its way to an anecdote from a golfing adventure, to his beloved sisters, cousins, and childhood friends from Virginia, or to his own family and grandkids, of whom he was most proud. 

A life-long believer and member of First Baptist Church, Bob believed strongly in God’s unconditional love and showed respect and kindness to all. As his health declined, his faith remained strong. 

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Janice Jordan Young; daughter Julia Young Kirkpatrick, (Brian) of Raleigh; daughter Peyton Young Earey (Ryan) of Wilmington; grandchildren Eli and Mia Kirkpatrick and Brogdon, Holt and Sutton Earey; Sister Carolyn Young Nelson (Jim) of Huntersville; brother-in-law Agustin Rodriguez of Guadalajara, Mexico, as well as loving nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Joyce Young de Rodriguez. His sense of humor, sports knowledge, love of learning, and fondness of a good story or joke were appreciated by all who knew him. 

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 6 at 1 pm at Whiteville Memorial Cemetery with Dr. Fred Senter and Rev. Jerry Dalton officiating. Please observe social distancing and wear masks. Afterwards, the service will be available for viewing online at McKenzie Mortuary’s website (mckenziemortuary.net).  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (lifecare.org).

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