Terry Lee Young

Terry Lee Young, 83, of Olathe, passed away on January 22, 2025, at Evergreen Community of Johnson County.

 Terry was born on October 28, 1941, to Harold and Della (Johnson) Young in Plainview, NE. He graduated from Plainview High School, class of 1959, where he excelled in sports earning first team all conference basketball both his junior and senior year and participating in the 1958 American Junior Legion State Baseball Championship team. Terry accepted a four-year combined baseball and basketball scholarship to Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, where he attended one semester until fulfilling a lifetime dream when he signed a professional baseball contract with the Philadelphia Phillies in December of 1959.

 Between 1959 and 1965, Terry attended Morningside College, Norfolk Junior College, and Kearney State College, while also pursuing his baseball career. In addition to a season with the Phillies organization, he signed with the New York Yankees and also played semi-pro ball in Wichita, KS, and Ocala, FL, in the summers. During his time with the Wichita Service Auto Glassmen, the team won the National Semi-Pro Championship. Terry also had a taste of coaching when, at the age of 19, he managed Plainview's Summer Youth Baseball program and coached the 1961 American League Midget State Baseball Champion team.

 Terry finished school at Kearney State in 1965 with honors, majoring in Physical Education and History/Sociology. After the conclusion of that year's baseball season, he began his first year of teaching at the Papillion, NE, Jr-Sr. High School. While teaching at Papillion, he started their first baseball program and was assistant coach for the Papillion basketball team and 1970 Class A State Runner-Up. 

 In 1972, Terry left coaching and teaching. He worked briefly as a restaurant manager and insurance salesman before being hired by The Hartford Insurance Company, where he worked as a Claims Representative for 30 years, until his retirement in 2004.

 In September of 1970, Terry met the love of his life, Susan Elizabeth McCray. They married on July 24, 1971, in Omaha, NE. Together they raised their three children in Omaha and North Platte, NE, and Olathe, KS.

 Terry was a man of faith and lived his life to honor God. He and Sue regularly attended The Church of the Resurrection, initially in person and later via on-line services. He enjoyed spending time with family, being involved in his children's activities, and attending grandchildren's programs and sporting events. Terry was known for his competitive spirit and timely puns. After retirement, he spent as much time as possible on the golf course and was a member of several leagues.

 Terry is survived by his loving wife, Susan; his children Jill (Curtis) Stewart, Kerrie (Tony) Lonard, and Kyle Young; grandchildren Ian and Ryan Stewart, and Kaden and Jonas Lonard, and several nieces and nephews.

 He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Omar and Wayne Young.

 The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Nickie Perry, who discovered Terry's cancer and re-occcurrance, assuredly extending his life by 15 years or more. Additionally, the family is grateful to Olathe Health Hospice and Evergreen Community staff, all of whom worked together to ensure Terry's comfort in his final days on this Earth.

 Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 am followed by a service at 11:00 am on Monday, February 3, at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 S Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS.

 Memorials are suggested to Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS 66224; Evergreen Community of Johnson County, 11875 S Sunset Dr, Suite 100, Olathe, KS 66061; or Olathe Health Hospice House, Fund Development, The University of Kansas Health System, 11300 Corporate Ave, MS 9241, Lenexa, KS, 66219-1374.

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