Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

"Laughter is an instant vacation!" Milton Berle may have delivered that line, but Rick Young lived his life in that spirit. He inspired his family and friends to enjoy humor every day of their lives. Rick's greatest joy was those around him, especially his three children.

In 1962, Ricky Alan Young was born in Lompoc, California, at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, to Norah and Chester Young. He joined his sister, Trudy, and his brother, Roger, to complete the family. When Ricky was 3 years old, his mother relocated to the Hollywood area to raise her children on her own. As his mother worked, Trudy was like a second mom to Ricky. With the age difference, Trudy used to sing songs to him such as, "Downtown," by Petula Clark. He carried the sentiment of the lyrics with him, "Downtown...Everything's waiting for you..." He was the one person who put a positive spin on everything in life and he loved entertaining people, even from a young age. When he was a teenager, he dreamed of being a firefighter when he grew up. He also collected baseball cards and simply enjoyed all life had to offer.

Rick loved Rock and Roll music such as The Doors, The Who, Led Zeplin, and KISS. During high school, he worked at Grauman's Chinese Theatre for a few years, working his way up the ladder from usher to night manager. He graduated from Hollywood High School in 1980. Soon, he joined the California Conservation Corp. It required heavy, difficult work but it also focused on team work. Rick was clearly a leader and he grew up while working that job. He learned to be a hard worker while he took pride in his work. In 1982, he met Karla through friends. The couple was married and in 1985 they welcomed the birth of their son, Matthew Scott. Rick loved being a father, helping to change and feed the baby. Even though the couple grew apart, they remained good friends and had a good relationship. Over the years, he spent a lot of time with Matt. Father and son shared many trips such as going to the beach, fishing and camping.

Soon, Rick was surrounded by new friends at his job as a Salesman at Wesco Track and Tire in Van Nuys. For the next 15 years, he worked hard at his job while also making his co-workers laugh and enjoy life. In 1991, he married Linda and together they had two beautiful children, Samantha Renee and Dustin Alan. He loved going dirt bike riding with the kids and supported Samantha in cheerleading and Dusty in football and baseball. Their favorite restaurant was Chewy's, where they would eat together once or twice a week. Every second he could spend with his children, he did. It was a pure devotion to his children that inspired him in life. He was a great father.

Until the end, he continued working with his friends such as John, Shawn, and Juan at Wesco. All day long, he loved to make his in-house audience laugh. While he believed in God, he also believed in Karma. He believed in being honest and treating others in a kind manner. He believed you get out of life what you put into it. He worked hard in his job and he worked hard to think of others. A couple of times, he donated bone marrow to help others. With his giving spirit, he saved lives.

Over the last three years, he also spent time with his girlfriend, Sissy. They liked going on trips to Catalina to go snorkeling while they also enjoyed singing Karaoke together. He took Sissy to places she'd never seen before and she will miss his kindness. Material things were not the focus in Rick's life. Instead, he focused on his family, his children, and his friends. Everyone will miss his smile. Rick Young will be remembered as a loving father, a fun-loving guy, a good loyal friend, and a man who would do anything for you. It was his wish to be cremated and have his ashes scattered in the ocean, he loved so much. His family will honor his wishes. Memorial donations are welcome to his children's trust fund: Samantha and Dustin Young Educational Trust Fund, c/o Wesco Track and Tire, Attn: John Austin or Juan Huezo, 7720 Airport Business Park Way, Van Nuys, CA 91406.