James Young

1945 - 2017

James Young

May 8, 1945 - June 12, 2017

James "Jim" Young of Oakland, CA (formerly of McKinney, TX) died June 12, 2017, after a long illness. He was 72. Jim was a photographer, artist, and world traveler. He is remembered by all for his wise advice, adventurous spirit, generous good nature, and his love of learning and the arts.

Jim graduated from Stanford University and earned an MA in Public Affairs from University of Texas at Dallas. As a young man, he worked in banking and sales until he became co-owner of Strictly Tabu, an iconic Dallas jazz club in the 1970s-80s. After selling the club, he sailed for two years between Mexico and Alaska, then returned to the Dallas area to pursue a career in economic and small-business development. He and his wife moved to Oakland in 2011.

He is survived by his beloved wife Sherie Ellington and two step-children, Elyce and Alex Ellington; his sister Beverly Lightbourn Herrscher; his nephew Walt Lightbourn and niece Linda Read of Dallas; his uncle George Webb of McKinney; sisters-in-law Laurie Pitman of Oakland and Julie Pitman of Dallas; and several cousins, all in the greater Dallas area. Jim also cherished his life-long friendship with Charles Compton of Fortuna, CA.

After his retirement and move to the Bay Area in 2011, Jim served on the board of Arts for Oakland Kids, a 501(c)3 organization that supports arts education programs in under-resourced Oakland schools. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in his honor to Arts for Oakland Kids, PO Box 29022, Oakland, CA 94604. All donations are tax-deductible.