Obituary
Michael Jay Young was born on
August 31, 1941, in Sacramento California. The oldest of four children to
Robert and Janet (Randall) Young. Mike received his diagnosis of Glioblastoma
(brain Cancer) on Dec 14, 2025, and transitioned to Hospice a few days later.
He died March 21, 2026, in Crescent City, CA at the age of 84.
He is survived by his wife Marlene
Tintle Young. Other surviving relatives include his brothers Timothy Young
(Brigid), and Gary Young (Kerry); children Tamara Trask (Aadam), Steven Young
(Cindi) and Amy Conger (Jason); grandchildren Kathryn (Trask) Gonzalez,
Sebastian Trask, Crawford Trask, Daniel Young, Jacinda (Young) Moerkle, Gregory
Young, Jacob Young, Michael Young, Jordan Conger, Morgan Conger, Madison
Conger, Aidan Conger and Benjamin Conger; and numerous great-grandchildren
along with many nephews and nieces.
He is a stepfather to Jeffrey
Anderson (Julie), Brad Anderson and Corinne Higgins (Kennith); and
step-grandfather to Austin Anderson, Abigail Anderson, Kallie (Anderson)
Murillo, Nicholas Higgins and Derek Higgins; along with 5 step
great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his
parents, his sister Randy Rodriguez, and his first wife Marilyn Nelson.
He graduated from Sierra High
School, Whittier, California in 1959 and from Los Angeles State College in 1963
with a degree in Civil Engineering. He completed graduate work at University of
Southern
California and California State
University at Los Angeles.
In his career as a Civil Engineer
he was employed by the City of Los Angeles, County of Ventura,
Jennings-Bartlett Engineers Ventura office, City of Madera, County of Del Norte
and the City of Crescent City. He was the City Manager of Crescent City from 1973
to 1979, Director of Public Works from 2000 to 2003 when he retired. He also
served as the Crescent City Interim City Manager in 2008 and again in 2017. He
owned and operated his own consulting engineering firm for 20 years (1979-1999)
in Crescent City. Mike never stopped working! Continuing with private clients,
City of Crescent City, EMI and numerous non-profit organizations.
Mike had a passion for overseas
Christian mission work, especially where he could use his talents as an
engineer. He learned of Engineer Ministries International (EMI) and quickly
joined their organization. He made over 30 trips to foreign countries, including
multiple trips to Mexico, Honduras (twice), Dominican Republic, Brazil,
Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Guatemala, Haiti (multiple times), Kenya (twice),
Nigeria, Nepal, Ecuador (twice), Uganda and Liberia. He worked on projects such
as hospitals, medical clinics, schools, churches, orphanages, water treatment
and wastewater disposal facilities, along with construction of homes. Mike also
worked on numerous projects from home which included countries such as, South
Africa, Gambia, Ghana, Zambia, Russia, India and Bangladesh. He also served on
disaster response teams following the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2013
Yolanda typhoon in the Philippines. Locally he served on numerous boards
including the Del Norte Health Care District, Team Redwood, Habitat for Humanity,
and St. George Reef Lighthouse.
We wish to recognize the Sutter
Hospice Team providers for their consistent care and valuable assistance to us
all at this difficult time. We especially want to thank Tabitha (Mike's
personal daytime caregiver). She was always present with love and encouragement
for all his needs. We are grateful for Pastor Bill from The Refuge Church, who
visited him every Tuesday. Thanks to all who prayed, visited, called, texted,
provided cookies or played a part in his cancer battle. Marlene wants to
personally thank her children and grandchildren, along with Steve and his son
Jacob, for the overnight care provided during this time.
- In lieu of flowers, please
consider a donation to EMI at https://emiworld.org/mike-young Any funds donated
in this link will help continue the mentoring of young professionals, in which
Mike participated during his later years with EMІ. -Or a donation to a Cancer
Charity of your choice.