James Terrence Young

YOUNG, JAMES TERRENCE (1937 ~ 2018). The following is an obituary for former journalist Terry Young. The obituary was provided by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home of Austin.

After a wonderfully rich and meaningful life among all he touched, Terry Young passed on to a better existence on October 1, 2018 at his home in Cedar Park with family around him.

He was born July 7, 1937 in Pampa, Texas, to Joe and Nell Young. He grew to be a fine young baseball player after the family relocated to the Rio Grande Valley. While still in his teenage years, Terry revealed himself to be an accomplished sports writer and editor, capacities in which he served for three daily papers while pursuing his love of athletics in high school and beyond. Terry's universe of family, friends and clients is fortunate to have many stories of his life encapsulated in his recently published memoir, "Stop the Train – The Bridge is on Fire!"

Terry was fortunate to marry another avid sports fan, June Winston, in 1961. They would have celebrated their 58th anniversary in January. Together they watched countless hours of baseball – with June pulling for the Yankees while Terry carried the flag for his Astros. Terry could be found with June most summer nights during the past 18 years at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock. There, they were the biggest fans of the Round Rock Express, becoming the team's unofficial ambassadors/public relations agents/superfans for the home team. The baseball connection enabled Terry to host friends and clients and to share his love for the game. He and June had just completed a visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York with their whole family in the week before his passing.

During his journalism career, Terry graduated from sports writing to work proudly and effectively as a reporter and bureau manager for United Press International (UPI) in Texas and New Mexico. While on the scene covering such major stories as the Billy Sol Estes scandal in 1962, the Texas White House of the LBJ presidency, and the UT Tower sniper story in 1966, he was published nationally and internationally. His journalistic assignments brought him into contact with movers and shakers in Texas and national politics. He served as President of Austin's Headliners Club in 1981 and was active with many professional Public Relations and Press groups during his career.

Terry's UPI career ultimately led to his association with Texas public relations pioneer Julian Read as a key staff member of the Read-Poland public relations firm. Highlights of Terry's career in public relations include ground-breaking work (literally) with the 1968 World's Fair in San Antonio; front-line representation of Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus; and political work with Ben Barnes, John Connally and later, with a young George W. Bush. He was an avid news reader and clipper, sharing pertinent articles with friends and clients, keeping all of his family and friends informed.

His love of and aptitude for sports resurfaced in 1969 as chief writer for Read-Poland's six-year run producing the Darrell Royal Show. Subsequently he co-hosted the groundbreaking "Football: Southwest Conference Style" with his longtime friend and colleague Gary Pickle, bringing weekly highlights of SWC football to a television audience.

Terry maintained a Christian faith that began in various Baptist churches in Texas and Oklahoma. In the past decade, he has enjoyed his church family at CrossPointe Church in north Austin.

He is survived by June, his wife of more than 57 years; two sons, Wesley Young and wife Camy, and Mitch Young and wife Jeannette; daughter Shannon Hicks and husband Andy; with the entire family located in Austin. Terry is also survived by sister Mary Nell Roos of Providence Ford, Virginia and six grandchildren: Bethany Hicks, Katie Young, Weston Young, Caroline Young, Cameron Young and Brandon Young; and one great-grandchild: Charlie Hicks.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at CrossPointe Church, 5703 McNeil Drive, on Monday, October 15 at 3:00 pm. Interment will be earlier that day at the Texas State Cemetery.

Please celebrate Terry's life with us by contributing to one of the following local charities:
Young Life (The Hills Area TX428) P.O. Box 29751, Austin, TX 78755-6751
Mobile Loaves & Fishes, 9301 Hog Eye Road, Suite 950, Austin, TX 78724