David Young

David Young, age 83 of Grand Rapids, passed away June 25, 2024. The son of Helmer and Lillian Young, he was born June 13, 1941. He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Laverne and Helen Hanson; and daughter Kelly Beld. David is survived by his wife, Kathleen Young; children, Kimberly (Mike) Birkle; Dana (Erin) Young; son-in-law, Ken Beld; grandchildren, Andrew (Jordan Gulkis) Birkle, Alexander (Lauryn Kruse) Birkle, Nicklas Birkle, Jillian Ring, Chase Ring, Jacob Beld, Ryan Beld, Morgan (Jacob Robertson) Young, Latham Young; twin sister, Donna Jones; sister, SalLee Holland; brother Don (Cheryl) Holland. First and foremost, Dave was a family man, who took more pride in his 60 year marriage with Kathy than any individual accomplishments he had, which there were many. Dave was a brilliant businessman who graduated from Jamestown High School in New York and went on to study at Kent State University, where he was a member of Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity. Dave always valued education, something he passed on to his children and grandchildren, and paid his way through college working at Crescent Tool. After graduating, Dave embarked on a career that started in Michigan at Faultless Casters in Detroit, then brought him and his family to Evansville, IN before returning to the Mitten State, settling in Grand Rapids. That’s where Dave made a major impact working with Gordon Manufacturing (Leggett & Platt). Dave traveled the world, visiting China, Italy, Prague and beyond for work trips, which was taxing but fed into his never-ending curiosity. Dave received awards for his work, and used his experience to help advise anyone he could, particularly his children and grandchildren. He was a natural leader, storyteller and confidant, who made it his life goal to help others in any way that he could, including donations to church, bipolar research and other charities. Dave enjoyed bike riding, golfing, hiking, woodworking, skiing, and driving fast cars (especially loud ones). However, his greatest passion was for his wife Kathy. The two shared an unbreakable bond that started on the bus in high school, and never stopped until June 25, 2024. To his last breaths, Dave was imparting words of wisdom like only he could. He will be missed in ways that cannot be expressed in words.  Family will greet friends and relatives at 1-2:30pm, on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2700 Fulton St. E, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. Memorial service will follow at 2:30pm. A Celebration of Life will follow at Thousand Oaks Country Club, 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. Memorial contributions can be directed to National Alliance on Mental Illness of Washtenaw County, namiwc.org/donate