(erielack) JJ Young, Jr. Obit- Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin

["S.J. Botts" <sjbotts_@_alliancecom.net>]

John J. Young, Jr.
(formerly of Binghamton)
of Charleston, West Virginia

JJ Young, Jr. passed away quietly at his home in Charleston, West 
Virginia, on Saturday, November 27th, 2004, at the age of 75. Born in 
Wheeling, W.Va., May 23, 1929, he worked for Wheeling Mold & Foundry 
and the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad. He moved to Binghamton in 1959 
and worked for Stickley Sivers Photo, he later took a job at Broome 
Technical Community College in the audio-visual department. He had a 
knack with the students and was the student advisor for the BCC 
Student Government. He also started a camera club on campus to teach 
students the finer qualities of photography; this later lead to the 
creation of the photography classes he became an instructor for, and 
are now part of Broome Community College's Communications Curriculum. 
He retired from the College in 1995 and returned to West Virginia to 
enjoy retirement. His parents, John and Margurite Young predeceased 
him; his wife, Elizabeth, survives him. He has also left behind his 
five children and their spouses, John and Susan Young, Cheryl and 
Curt Miller, Tom Young and their mother, Doris, Paul Davis and Diane 
Davis; as well as his grandchildren, Christina Martinkovic, Kyle and 
Alexis Miller, Tommy and Charise Young, Kyle Davis and Gaibrial 
Doamekpor; as well as several great-grandchildren. One brother and 
his wife, Ed and Virginia Young; two sisters and their husbands, Mary 
and Pat Pizolla and Elizabeth and Lawrence Megan, also survive him; 
as well as several nieces and nephews. His many friends around the 
world that he has met throughout his travels will sorely miss him. He 
was a thespian and was well know for his portrayal as the prospector 
for WBNG-TV's gold rush commercial in the Binghamton area; also 
enjoying the role of "Teddy Roosevelt" in Arsenic and Old Lace for 
BCC Theater; as well as other many other characters through out his 
years at BCC. The greatest loss is to not only the rail fan community 
but the industry too. He was considered to be one of the world's 
greatest rail photographers, with many of his photos being published 
in books and magazines around the world. His ability to capture and 
bring life to a still black and white photograph had many people 
asking questions, by which he was always willing to teach others 
technique and composition. He was a great storyteller and had a way 
to hold one's attention. His memory was unsurpassed by anyone today, 
he remembered every story and photo he had ever taken and because of 
this he has been recognized for his assistance in recreating history 
in both photo and facts. He was honored by the former Governor 
Underwood of West Virginia as to being a state hero for his 
documentation of West Virginia's railroad history in and around the 
Wheeling area, his photos and stories are on permanent display at the 
old B&O station in Wheeling, which is now part of W. Va. Northern 
Community College. His caring and understanding of others made him 
who he was. He will be remembered for all of his contributions - not 
only to the rail community and museums, but the people's lives he 
touched through his short stay with us.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Barlow-Bonsall 
Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia Street, East, Charleston, W. Va., the 
prayer service will follow at 5:45 p.m. As per his wishes, his ashes 
will be spread along the wye at St. Albans. Cards of sympathy may be 
sent to the family in care of the funeral home. Barlow-Bonsall 
Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. 

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