May 17, 1944 — Nov. 3, 2012

FERRIDAY — Funeral services for John Davis Young Sr., 68, who died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at his home on Lake St. John, surrounded by his loving family, will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday with Revs. Clyde Ray Webber, Gary Howington, and James King officiating.  Bro The Rev. Lloyd Trisler will preside over the graveside services at Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Young’s Funeral Home in Ferrdiay.

John Davis Young Sr. was born May 17, 1944, to Francis Leo Young Sr. and Ella Mae “Petie” Davis Young. He was a lifelong resident of Ferriday

John graduated from Ferriday High School in 1962. He then earned a degree in mortuary science from The Commonweath School of Science in Houston, Texas. John went on to study for three years at Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe until returning to Ferriday to take over the family business, Young’s Funeral Home, upon the death of his father.

For 42 years John served families throughout the area with kindness and compassion. In 2008 he retired as co-owner and general manager of Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday, Vidalia, Jonesville and Winnsboro.

John was dedicated to his community and served in many civic organizations, including past president of the Ferriday Rotary Club, a member of Ferriday Kiwanis Club, past president of the Concordia Parish Council on Aging, and as a member of the Catahoula Parish School Board.

John was a member of Ferriday Masonic Lodge #390, where he was a Past Master. He was also a Shriner and 32nd Degree Mason.

When his children were young, John coached their football, basketball and baseball teams. He was also a charter member of Panola Woods Country Club.

John was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Ferriday, where he was an Elder and Sunday school teacher.

Professionally, John was a member of the Northeast Louisiana Funeral Directors Association and the Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors.

John was a hunter and fisherman and enjoyed training hunting dogs. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and a pilot. During their 21 years of marriage, John and Millie enjoyed traveling to many wonderful destinations.

Throughout his life, John’s greatest joy was his family.

Survivors include his wife, Millie Lancaster Young of Ferriday; six children, Ella Young Spinks and husband Roy of Mandeville, John Davis Young Jr. and wife Brandi of New Braunfels, Texas, Sarah Young Hanchey and husband Clint of Monroe, Brooke Squyres and fiancé Zack Morris of New Orleans, Britney Squyres of Natchez and Barrett Lancaster Young of Baton Rouge; two brothers, Francis Leo “Buddy” Young Jr. and wife Jackie, and Dr. James E. “Jimmy” Young and wife Vera of Ogden, Utah; eight grandchildren, Garrett Evan Spinks, Gentry Elizabeth Spinks, Caroline Routh Young, Clinton Robert Hanchey, John Davis Young III, Bennett Chase Hanchey, William Dayton Young, Meredythe Louise Hanchey; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

John is also survived by his lifelong friend Joe Webber of Ferriday.

Pallbearers will be Beau Young, Casey Young, Neal Young, Scott Young, Ben Young, Zack Lancaster, Aston Lancaster and Trace Lancaster.