Obituary- Russell Winfield Young

Russell Winfield Young 2-5-1930 ~ 6-11-2014 Russell Winfield Young, 84, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at Amara Hospice in Mc Allen, TX. Born on February 5, 1930 in Walsenburg, CO to Thomas and Mary Young, he spent his youth in both Colorado and South Texas. He graduated from PSJA High School in 1948 and later received his bachelor’s degree from Texas Western College (UT-El Paso) where he played football for the Miners. In 1956, he earned his master’s degree from West Texas State College (West Texas A&M). Russell began his career in 1951 in Tulia, TX and, in 1956, moved with his wife Mona and their three children, Mike, Karen, and Sherri to McAllen, TX where he continued teaching and coaching at McAllen High School through 1970. In his years of coaching football, track, and swimming, Russell made an impact on the lives of numerous colleagues, students, and those he coached. He spent his summers managing the swimming pools for the City of McAllen and started the AAU competitive swim program in 1967. After retiring from coaching, he went on to officiate football and basketball and worked closely with the South Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross. In 1971, he became the Rio Grande Valley’s first full-time Director of Athletics for McAllen ISD. Russell was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. After his retirement in 1984, he spent his time enjoying family, friends, and his dog, Jackie, while hunting, golfing and relaxing in both Colorado and the Valley. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mary Young, and his sister Kathryn Merree Linville. He is survived by his siblings, Bob (Patsy) Young and Mary Esther Ferguson; three children, Mike (Beverly) Young, Karen Young, and Sherri (Burt) Holloway; ex-wife Mona Young; eight grandchildren, Russell Holloway, Mona (Michael) Guerra, Thomas Garza, Michael Holloway, Chase (Whitney) Young, David Garza, Lynlee (Sean) Burke and Eric Young; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Amara Hospice of McAllen, TX in Russell’s name or to the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held Friday, June 20, 2014 at 11 am at Kreidler Funeral Home in McAllen. Sign the guest book at.ww.themonitor.com/obituaries