James A. Young

1952 - 2018

James "Jim" Albert Young was born March 13, 1952, to Albert and Phyllis Young in Oakes, North Dakota. He passed away Dec. 27, 2017. Jim spent his younger years working on the family farm in North Dakota. He loved driving and fixing tractors, balers and other farm equipment.
In 1968, his family moved to Marylhurst, Oregon, where he attended West Linn High School. He was a welcome addition to the basketball team and played all four years. After high school, he attended the University of Washington for a year then returned to West Linn, Oregon, where he was employed by Budweiser Brewery. He later joined the family's tavern business.
One day, one of his patrons, Renne, offered to take him flying. He was bitten hard with the flying bug and embarked on what would become a lifelong career as a pilot. After receiving his pilot's license, he was employed by Veneer Services in Newberg, Oregon, as a corporate pilot and instructor. In 1979, he met his lifelong friend, Alan Knapp, at Sportsman's Airpark in Newberg. They remained good friends and fellow pilots.
Jim moved to Anchorage with his family and was employed by Alyeska Air Service. In May 1985, he started his own certified Part 135 air taxi and commuter airline, JayHawk Air, and flew charters in the Anchorage area and statewide. In 1989, he moved to Fairbanks and worked as flight engineer on the DC-6 for Northern Air Cargo. After a brief period with NAC, he joined the Everts Team. Jim flew as a flight engineer in the DC-6 for Everts Air Fuel (Part 125) from 1989 to 1993. He then accepted a post at Rob Everts' new 135 Air Carrier, Tatonduk Flying Service as the director of operations through 1996. In 1996, Jim transitioned to the Everts 121 Air Carrier operation as a captain in the DC-6 and flew for the Everts family until his passing. Jim spent 28 years on the Everts team and amassed in excess of 31,000 hours of flight time. He will be dearly missed by the many, many fellow employees, friends and family that he touched over the years.
He will be remembered for his commitment to aviation, his enjoyment of fast cars and great conversation. He was a generous man with a big heart who was known to go above and beyond to assist those less fortunate. All who knew Jim will miss his endearing smile and giving personality. He is survived by his daughter, Brittany McCabe; his brother, Richard Young; and his beloved friends, Alan Knapp and Marla Larson.
There will be a celebration of life at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28, in the Binkley Room at Pike's Waterfront Lodge.