Dan Young

W. D. “Dan” Young, 84, of Iuka, Mississippi, passed away, Saturday, June 19, 2021. Dan was born September 30, 1936, to the late W. R. (Mr. Will) and Velma Flurry Young. He was the beloved husband of Betty Gurley Young for 65 years; adored father of Lauren Young Nunley (Herman) and D. L. “Danny” Young (Debbie); cherished grandfather of Danielle McDeavitt (J. D.), Claire Williams (Brooks), Mary Beth Sheffield (Kevin), Daniel Young (Anna), and John Landon Young; and endeared great-grandfather of Bryson Taylor, Ayden McDeavitt, Hayden Taylor, Noah Sheffield, Charli Beth Sheffield, Adalyn McDeavitt, Stella Grace Williams, Sadie Brooke Williams, Harris Young, and Evelyn Kathryn Sheffield. Many were blessed to witness his shining example of what it meant to be a good man, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. His humbleness and unselfishness were shown through all that he did for others behind the scenes. We should all strive to be like Jesus, and a more Christlike example would be hard to find. It was through God’s will, Dan’s determination, and his wife Betty’s steadfast devotion that he was able to share his boundless love along with his undivided attention to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren which made them feel heard, special, loved, and worthy.  He was an amazing cook and enjoyed cooking for everyone. If you were ever privileged to have one of Papa Dan’s breakfasts, you know!

He was preceded in death by his parents W. R. (Mr. Will) and Velma Flurry Young, his sister Kathryn Gould, his brother Jack Young, and his beloved mother-in-law Stella Gurley.

He graduated from Northeast Mississippi Community College, where he was a bus driver. He played basketball every day and was noticed by the coach there who asked him to play for the basketball team. Dan refused because he had already committed to driving a bus for the school, which speaks of his humbleness. He met the love of his life there on a blind date, which Betty said was not blind to her because she had already picked him out when she saw him driving the bus and asked a friend, “Now, who did you say that was?” He then continued his education at Mississippi State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management. His love for MSU was passed on to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He retired from Reynolds Metals Company as the Casting Alloys Plant Technical Development Manager, a job which required him to travel to other countries to learn how to implement modern state of the art metal casting processes in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He was a member of Iuka United Methodist Church.

A visitation for Dan is planned for Tuesday, June 22, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. The funeral service will be held at Iuka Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23, officiated by Bro. Harrell Moore and Bro. David Gould. A graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral at Oak Grove Cemetery in Iuka. Pallbearers will be Daniel Young, John Landon Young, Brooks Williams, Kevin Sheffield, J. D. McDeavitt, and Bryson Taylor. Honorary pallbearers include Harris Young, Hayden Taylor, Noah Sheffield, and Ayden McDeavitt. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and Palmer Home for Children in Columbus, Mississippi.