Ronald Young

Ronald "Ron" Ainsworth Young, 70, passed away July 17, 2016. He was born to Frank Albert Young, Jr. and Evelyn Kalaris on June 2, 1946 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ron's father moved frequently, but Ron managed to run for student government, and eventually traveled to London, England where he found work as an offset print machine operator and later as a laundry rack turner. Ron enjoyed time in England until he was forced to move back to the U.S. with his father. It was difficult to return to school so he joined the U.S. Army in 1964 and completed his GED. Ron married Pamela Speth before going to Vietnam and Germany. Separation from her was one casualty of war he never got over. He returned and was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. In 1970 he married Patty Jean Ditmars and they had three children; Tonya Labrensz, Zachariah Young and Charity Byrd. Ron completed his military service on October 5, 1972 and moved to Phoenix. He worked for pest control agencies and in a candy warehouse. Eventually Patricia and family returned to Washington and Ron went to work for the Arizona Department of Corrections and attended Phoenix College. At Perryville Prison, Ron made friends with and then married Marcella "Marcy" A. Randall on April 6, 1988 and also joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that same day. Ron did his best to be a father to Marcy's children; Stephanie Reuter Carrington and Ivan Reuter. Ron & Marcy had two children; Bailey and Sidney Young. When they were born he became "Mr. Mom". Somehow he managed to serve two Stake missions, open a table and bench business and graduate from Thatcher Institute of Religion. Marcy's job moved them to Las Vegas where Ron became a temple worker, then to Sheridan, OR where he was nearly elected to the City Council. Marcy opened the Hawaii Prison and they lived in Hawaii for twelve years. In Hawaii, Ron graduated from Heald College and was a foster parent to Micah, Makoa and Makanna, whom he truly cared about. Ron followed Marcy to Crimson Tide territory in Aliceville, AL. They stayed for two years and made good friends before returning to the Gila Valley where he's lived until his eternal rest on July 17, 2016. Ron is survived by his wife Marcella Randall Young of twenty-eight years, seven children, and twelve grandchildren. A viewing for Ron will be held on Friday, July 22, 2016 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Caldwell Funeral Chapel and again on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 20th Street Chapel, 303 N. 20th Street in Safford with the funeral services beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Central Cemetery.