David Lewis Young of Strafford, Missouri departed this life on September 16, 2025, just days after celebrating his 88th birthday. David was born in Springfield, Missouri on September 6, 1937, to Gerson and Opal Young. He was the youngest boy and the fifth of six children in the family. He attended Central High School in Springfield, but was unable to graduate from there due to an accident while playing baseball. A few years later, David joined the Air Force. He always had a dream of flying fighter planes, but was unable to realize this due to the eye injury he sustained from the accident. Instead, David poured his efforts into becoming an airplane mechanic, a job he excelled at and truly loved. David later said the best part of being the mechanic was the testing of the airplanes after the repairs. He said the pilots would take him up during their testing, putting the planes through the paces, and the mechanic would get to fly with them. David became so good at this that the pilots would ask for him by name to work on their planes, giving him the ability to fly quite often. It was during his time in the Air Force that he completed his GED, allowing him to finish his high school career.

While in the Air Force, David was stationed in many places across the country, and it was during these travels that his life would change. In 1960, he was stationed on Long Island, New York, around the city of Westhampton Beach. A chance meeting at a car garage allowed him to meet one Diana Sue Dittemore, and this person turned out to be the love of his life. David and Diana were wed on October 13, 1962, and this marriage was his life blood for his remaining 62 years on the earth. The marriage resulted in four children, twelve grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren at his time of passing, and he often said that this was the accomplishment he was most proud of. David would often be seen outside playing ball with them or at school events for any he was able to attend, and loved every minute of it.

David was a hard-working man, always having jobs that were labor intensive. Even though these jobs took a toll on his body physically, he never wavered from his occupations, and always gave 110% at every job he took on. He retired at the age of 62 from Contractors Supply Company, and then began to enjoy his life after work.

David had many hobbies, from working on cars to tinkering with home projects. He loved playing cards with his family, and would always be ready to play some poker when family gatherings took place. He was an avid outdoorsman, and loved hunting for deer, squirrel, rabbit, and even would gig for frogs. His passion, however, was fishing. David was always ready to go “drop a line” in the water, and just enjoy the peace and tranquility that fishing gave him. Whether he would catch anything or not, he would go at a moment’s notice.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Gerson and Opal Young, his older brothers Bill Young, Larry Young, and Gene Young, and his older sister Nadine Myers. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Diana Sue Young of Strafford, Missouri; his youngest sister Mary Ann Stapp of Strafford, Missouri; four children, twelve grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends who dearly loved this man.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Gene Hill will be officiating.

A Celebration of Life for David Young will be held at a later date.