Obituary - Randell Young

Mr. Delbert Randell Young, 76, of Heidrick, passed away Saturday morning, April 6, 2024 at Mayfair Manor in Lexington. He was the son of the late Delbert Add Young and Elsie Sowders Young Back born on March 29, 1948 at Pathfork.

Randell was a member and elder of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where he served as chairman and member of the church board. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1970 with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and used his training and know-how to leave an impact on his community. He served as the General Manager of Barbourville Utilities for 35 years and oversaw several major public works projects including construction of new water and wastewater treatment facilities, the Tye Bend flood diversion channel, a 26-mile water line to Laurel Lake, raising the Barbourville floodwall, and installing Barbourville’s first broadband internet. In recognition of his outstanding work during the 1977 Cumberland River flood, Randell was presented the Patriotic Civilian Service Award by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Randell was proud of his Knox County roots and was involved in civic leadership and community service throughout his life. He was determined in his belief that the infrastructure and educational resources available to Knox Countians should be second to none. He volunteered with the Barbourville Fire Department and served on several boards and committees including the Knox County Board of Education, Knox County Hospital Board, Knox County HELP Board, Chairman of the Barbourville Tourism Commission and Chairman of the Stivers Wellness Center Board. He was honored to be recognized as the 2016 Knox County Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year” and the 2019 Daniel Boone Festival Grand Marshal.

Randell enjoyed talking with friends and strangers alike, and he was known for greeting everyone with a cheerful “Howdy, howdy!” He found the perfect union of both his loves for conversation and technology in his favorite hobby of amateur radio (call sign WB4TTW). He was a member of the Po Boy Amateur Radio Group and the Amateur Radio Relay League. He also enjoyed being outdoors: working in the yard, hiking to check on radio and utility equipment, riding motorcycles or just walking to visit his neighbors.

On June 20, 1970, he united in marriage with Judy Reiser and to this union three sons were born.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather Sidney K. Back and a brother-in-law, Gary Rice.

Survivors include his loving wife of over 53 years, Judy Young of Barbourville; his three sons, Jamey Young and wife, Angie, of Franklin, TN, Mark Young and wife, Tonya, of Barbourville and Casey Young and wife, Macy, of Lexington; stepsisters, Oberia Back of Louisville, Sheila Rice of London and Tammy Garvey and husband, Brett, of Louisville; treasured grandchildren, Kendahl, Luke, Jay, Nathan, Ryleigh and Reise Young; several nieces and nephews; among other loved ones and dear friends.

His funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Friday, April 12 at 1 P.M. with Rev. Greg McClellan and John Bill Prichard officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Barbourville Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be Luke Young, Jay Young, Nathan Young, Reise Young, Bradly Gray, Brett Garvey, James Pope, Roger Evans and Josh Callihan. Serving as honorary bearers will be John Bill Prichard, Henry Heaberlin, Jimmy Bargo, Tom Doty and former and current commissioners and employees of Barbourville Utilities.

Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday between 6 and 9 P.M. and Friday prior to the funeral hour.

The family suggests donations to the First Christian Church, P. O. Box 414, Barbourville, KY 40906 in Randell’s memory.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.