Charles James Young

Charles James Young passed away at home in Urbandale, IA Friday, September 1, 2023. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church at 11:00 A.M., Thursday September 21, 2023 with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be at 2:00 P.M. at Glendale Cemetery.  A visitation will be held at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. with a rosary at 7:00 P.M.

Chuck was born in Des Moines, IA on April 29, 1937. He lived in the Des Moines area his entire life.  He attended All Saints Elementary School and graduated from Dowling High School in 1955.  For the next 17 years, he worked for the Des Moines Register and Tribune as a pressman. After leaving the ‘R&T’, he began a career in the furniture repair and refinishing business. He worked a brief time for G. W. Onthank Co. as a furniture repairman and then started his own business, Young’s Furniture Refinishing, in 1975. He operated the business out of his shop in Waukee, IA for the next 40 plus years and retired in 2019.

Over his lifetime, Chuck participated in several activities. He loved playing baseball as a youth, and as a young man, he played fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball. He coached his kids’ little league baseball and softball teams. He loved square dancing and was a square dance caller for many years.  He started local square dance clubs and ‘called’ square dances locally and nationally. He had a beautiful and unique style with his gift of yodeling.  He was a devoted Catholic and a member of his church choir. Chuck was fiercely independent.  His character was exemplary, and he was friendly with everyone he met. His energetic laughter and positive attitude was irresistible. He lived a rich, full, intentional life. We will miss him.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Charles Leland Young and Genevieve (Maher) Elbert (Bill), and sisters Darlene (Young) Miller and Charlene (Young) Gourd.

Chuck is survived by his children, Chuck M. Young of Vancouver, WA, Natalie (Young) Emamian of West Des Moines, IA, and Lisa (Young) Leslie of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren Jarrad, Jack, Jasen, and Natalie; his longtime companion Shirley Bush and her family, and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Hospital.