Harold E. Young

1926 - 2016

Harold E. Young

Longtime Indianapolis resident and businessman, Harold E. Young, Jr., 89 of Indianapolis, formerly of Knoxville, Illinois, passed September 23, 2016 at his home. He was born December 2, 1926 in Galesburg, Illinois, the son of the late Harold Ewart Young and Sara Laurene South Young. He graduated from Knoxville High School then attended the University of Illinois at Champaign and the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Surviving is his beloved wife Betty Clair Wright Young, to whom he was united in marriage for 64 years, son Fredrick Emerson Young of Kannapolis, North Carolina, daughter Sarah Jayne Young Powers (William) of Indianapolis, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois and granddaughter, Rosemary Clair Powers of Chicago, Illinois, as well as many nieces, nephews, cherished family friends and acquaintances. Mr. Young was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert L Young.

Mr. Young was a distinguished developer and builder of fine homes in Indianapolis for more than 60 years. He was the sole owner of H. Emerson Young and Associates, one of the most respected home builders in Indianapolis. Along with esteemed associates Mr. Robin Reynolds and Mr. J Landfair Welty, H. Emerson Young and Associates developed many of the finest homes in Indianapolis and central Indiana. A special mention of thanks to trusted colleagues and longtime family friends Dr. Rodney Corson and Mr. David Neitzel.

Mr. Young remained involved in the community up to his passing. He was active in the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis for nearly 63 years, and served as President in 1977. He was a member of the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors for nearly 50 years. He served on the Advisory Board of the J. Everett Light Vocational Construction Program, always eager to mentor young students in the building and construction trades.

He was a long time member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Indianapolis Athletic Club, Historic Landmarks, the Indianapolis Historical Society the University Club of Indianapolis, The American Horticultural Society, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, its Asian Arts Society and Horticultural Society where he served also as President. He was a member of the Half - A - Hundred Club in Knoxville, Illinois - a group founded in part by his Mother, celebrating those graduated 50 years and more from Knoxville High School.

Mr. Young was also a long time member of Indianapolis Scottish Rite and the Broad Ripple Masonic Lodge where he was Junior Deacon. He was a member at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. Mr. Young was an avid bridge player, gardener, horticulturalist and birder.

Services are private and funeral arrangements entrusted to Shirley Brothers Fishers-Castleton Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Barnswallow, A Wild Bird Concern at barnswallow.net or P. O. Box 147, Wauconda, Illinois, 60084. www.shirleybrothers.com