Howard Eugene Young, 90, of rural LeRoy, Kansas, passed away early Thursday, July 25, 2024, at St. John's Hospital in Leavenworth, KS.

He was born June 21, 1934, at home in Gridley, KS, one of the 10 children of Andrew and Lydia (Schneider) Young. He grew up on the family farm southwest of Gridley and graduated from Gridley High School in 1952. He then served in the U.S. Army. Following his Honorable Discharge he attended Kansas State Teacher's College of Emporia, graduating with his Bachelor of Science in Education Degree in 1959. He followed up with his Master of Science degree in 1966. He taught at Central Junior High School in Kansas City, KS, before beginning a long career at Sumner Academy in Kansas City. KS. While at Sumner Academy he also organized an active Chess Club.

On December 23, 1967, Howard and Karla Michelle Scott were married in Kansas City, KS. They became the parents of two children, Michael and Michelle.  They purchased a home in Overland Park, KS in 1968 and raised their family there.  Howard utilized the large backyard for a huge garden and fruit trees.  Having summers off from teaching allowed him time to work in his garden.  He canned pickles, made jams, froze lots of fruits and veggies, dried fruits and made jerky.  He loved to share the fruits of his labor with everyone he met, including his neighbors and church family.  He enjoyed baking desserts to share at potlucks and inviting family and friends over for homemade ice cream and fresh strawberries and shortcake.  His yard always had flowers in the spring and summer, and he would cut them and bring them to church on Sundays in vases that he collected. Summers also allowed for his boating hobby, and he enjoyed taking his family boating as often as possible, but they never went alone.  They always brought friends along for the fun! Additionally, he loved to camp, hunt, play games, take pictures and video record the family adventures.

Howard loved to take his family on vacations.  They spent every Christmas holiday and Spring break snow skiing in Colorado and visiting his sister's family there.  Every summer he took them somewhere, usually including another visit to, or through, Colorado. After retirement, he and Karla became world travelers.  They cruised to many destinations including Alaska, Panama Canal, Australia, Europe, the Holy Land, the Caribbean, and more!

Howard retired from teaching in 1994.  He and Karla moved to a farm in LeRoy, KS in 2000. This allowed him even more room for fruit trees and gardens, and of course, time to travel!

While in Kansas City, Howard was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Lenexa. He served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. He even preached a few times, when needed. In LeRoy he was active in the LeRoy Christian Church, and currently he was a member of the First Baptist Church in Burlington.  Howard wanted most of all to know that his family and friends knew Jesus.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harvey, Glen, Andrew, Jr., Ephriam "Skeet", and Roy Young; and sisters, Gladys Botham, Anna Marie Warner, and Laura Young.

He leaves Karla, his wife of more than 56 years; his children, Michael Young (Katherine), Windsor Heights, IA, and Michelle Derry (Mark), Tonganoxie, KS; 5 grandchildren, Madison Brandt, Emily Derry, Skyler Young, Mark Derry, and Julia Young; 5 great-grandchildren, Theo, Ivy, Bo, Canaan and Lily; a sister, Doris Norman, Longmont, CO; numerous nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 P.M. Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, KS. Burial will follow in the Lamont Apostolic Christian Cemetery at Lamont, KS.

The family will meet with friends Saturday from 12:30 P.M. until service time at the funeral home.

The family suggests any memorial contributions made in Howard's name be donations to your local church.