Lester King Young, 95, passed away peacefully, on Nov. 12, 2024.
He was born in Watts Hollow, Putnam County, Tennessee, and graduated from Cookeville High School, in 1947.
Lester lived most of his life in Sparta, and was a member of Findlay Methodist Church for nearly 70 years, serving in many leadership roles. As a businessman, he was sales manager for Edd Rogers Chevrolet and earned multiple sales awards from General Motors. Deciding to venture out, he became a partner in Rogers and Young Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, on West Bockman Way, and, later, he owned Young Motor Company, on North Spring Street. Before retiring, he was asked to help establish the Nissan Dealership, in Cookeville.
He was a 33rd Degree Mason, Knight Commander of the Court of Honour Scottish Rite, and a Shriner. He was past Master of Sparta Lodge number 99. As a leader for the Sparta Scottish Rite, he presented awards to students for the best essays on Americanism. The Shriners Hospitals for Children were a top priority, and he endeavored to raise funds to support the children, their families, and the hospitals.
Lester had a long and abiding love for music. A talented musician, he spent his early years playing with well-known country music artists, including many Grand Ole Opry stars when they performed live on WHUB. He turned down a full-time position with Lester Flatt because the travel would take too much time away from his family. Early in
life, he was part of the Rainbow Drifters, playing in many different venues. Later in life, he was a founding member of The Heartland Gospel Singers, playing in churches throughout the South and recording many CDs with the group. Lester sang both tenor and bass, and could play almost any instrument, mostly the piano, guitar, violin, mandolin, and harmonica, but he loved his bass fiddle, which the family knew affectionately as “Bertha.”
He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Cleo J. Young; his parents, Sam and Virginia Young; siblings, Norma Cardwell, Ray Young, Christine Watts, Horace Young, Morris Young, Kathleen Meyers, Reba Ensor, Solan Price (Bill) Young; and stepson, Anthony Johnson (Pam Gardner).
He is survived by his wife, Katie; children, Jerry Young (Gail), Sherrie Ochsenbein (Mark); stepchildren, Michael Johnson (Teresa), Denise Daniels (Kevin); grandchildren, Jennifer Albertson (John), Emilie Bee (Jason), Katherine Fredrick (Geoffrey), and Frederick (Indy) Parker; step grandchildren, Keisha Abbott (Chris), Adam Johnson, Daniel Johnson (Haylee), and Trevor Johnson; many great-grandchildren (one due in December 2024), step-great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends as “numerous as the stars in the sky.”
Visitation was 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Nov. 15, 2024, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.shrinerschildren.org).
Oak Lawn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
