Michael Paul Young

GARNER- It is with great sadness that the family of Michael Paul Young announces his unexpected passing, on Thursday, January 24, at the age of 56. Michael (Mike) Young was born in Watertown, NY and grew up in Calcium, NY. He was a 1981 graduate of General Brown High school, and he entered the Air Force at the age of 18. He served our country with great passion and pride; he honorably retired as a Master Sergeant after serving 20 years. He was employed with Serpa Packaging as a Service Technician. Mike was a one-of-a-kind individual, he gave his heart and soul to every person he met. His kind and generous spirit touched so many lives. He was “like a father” or “like a brother” to anyone that was close to him. He was an extremely hard working man, providing for the family that he loved so much. He loved his family and friends with ferocity and wasn’t afraid to show it. He spent his life building others up, looking for the good in life and always trying to be the best version of himself. He was a man to be looked up to and a man to be inspired by. Mike absolutely loved the beach and spent as much time as he could at his beach house in Surf City, NC, that he and his wife Kimberly bought to share with their family. He loved collecting, talking about and shooting his guns. He was a jack of all trades and would help you fix just about anything. Michael was strong, loving, loyal, kind, generous, caring and patient. And he was so incredibly loved. Michael passed away suddenly of a heart attack, while working in Tennessee. He “went out with his boots on,” just like he wanted. Michael was the son of Marcia and the late Eric D. Young Jr. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Lee Young, his daughters , Rachel Young (Chris) Riggs, Tiffany (Jody) Johnson, his son, Chad (Nicole) Hollyfield, his mother Marcia Young, his sisters, Cindy (Jim) Cooley, Julia (Keith) Swett, Ericka (Blake) Shepard, Connie (Bob) Cratsenburg, his brothers, Eric (Doreen) Young III, Carl (Dorrie) Young, his grandchildren, Gavin, Micah, Aviana, Carter, Conley and Cullen and many other adoring family members and friends. Mike is preceded in death by his father, Eric “Durl” Young Jr, his sister Cheryl Barcomb and his sweet Casie. Graveside service at Arlington National Cemetery will be held Monday June 3, 2019 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Veterans Affairs.