John Wesley Young

Young, John Wesley SAN DIEGO -- John Wesley Young, of San Diego, passed away on Monday, April 1, 2013. Born in Stevenson, Alabama, on November 23, 1915, to Dora (Caperton) and Herbert Young, the family later moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma. John graduated from the Manual Arts Training High School in Muskogee, and Langston University. Immediately upon graduating from Langston, he began teaching in Idabel, Oklahoma. When World War II began, he was drafted into the Army and after Basic Training, was sent to Officer's Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. All members of the class were commissioned as Second Lieutenants upon graduation, but John's leadership abilities soon earned him a promotion to First Lieutenant. John moved to San Diego in 1947. Savvy in real estate and finances, he was successful at completing multiple building projects, including the completion of a duplex, four-plex and a luxury home. He taught for the San Diego Unified School District at Memorial Jr. High and Bell Jr. High. At Bell, he established and directed the Adult Education Program and was also involved in counseling. Upon retirement, John wanted to do something to boost the academic achievement of children in his neighborhood. He designated one side of his duplex as a tutoring location, contacted the neighborhood parents and for many years was successful in offering free tutoring to students in need. Beginning in his teenage years, John was interested in music and became proficient on the tenor saxophone. He composed for and played with several bands including Ernie Fields and treasured the memory of playing at the legendary Apollo Theatre. He continued making and listening to music throughout his life in San Diego. John is survived by his companion, Lillian Burt; and cousins, Edna (Lonnie) Moon, Evalyn (Harold) Young, Shirley (Lloyd) Ormsby, and Joyce (Willie) Ivy. John will be missed by his many friends in the United States and Europe. Private services have been held.