Obituary published on Legacy.com by Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home - Wilmington on May 11, 2024.
Carl William Yung (1961 - 2024)
Carl William Yung, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, departed from this world on April 21, 2024, at the young age of 63. Born on March 13, 1961, in
Baltimore, Maryland, to David and June Yung, Carl's life was a symphony of love, laughter, and creativity.
As the youngest of four siblings, Carl shared his childhood with sisters Wanda (deceased) and Robin, and brother David (deceased). He was a cherished father to Francesca Wallace and Carliana Gastunas, and an adoring grandfather to Sophia, Gianna, and Isabel Wallace. Carl reconnected and developed a special bond with his niece, Christie Eastburn, over the past four and a half years. They cherished moments together, binge-watching movies and sharing laughter, often accompanied by Chester, Christie's beloved chihuahua. Additionally, Carl held a special place in his heart for his four nephews, Erik Porter (Yung), Harry Porter (Yung), Clint Eastburn (deceased) and David III (Yung), and his many great nieces and nephews. He spoke fondly of them and held an unconditional love for them.
Carl and his family moved to
Newark, DE (Todd Estates) in 1965 when Carl was four. He recalled his family raising farm animals during his early childhood, inclusive of two ducks he especially loved, named Donald and Daisy. As a child, Carl was remembered as hilarious, caring, and creative. From an early age Carl possessed a vibrant spirit and passion for music and performing. His journey with melodies began at the tender age of seven when he picked up his first instrument, the tuba. This initial spark ignited a lifelong love affair with music, as he mastered the clarinet, saxophone, piano, drums, guitar, and bass as a self-taught musician. Although he loved all kinds of music, some of his favorite bands included The Beatles, Journey, and The Eagles. Carl's musical talents were not confined to personal enjoyment; he generously shared his gift by offering music lessons to peers from his own basement. In 1979, during his senior year at Glasgow High School, Carl showcased his talent by starring as the lead role of Jesus in the school musical "Godspell." Alongside his three siblings, he shared a passion for cars, immersing himself in the world of automotive restoration with his brother, Dave Jr. Among Carl's collection of vehicles, notable mentions include his cherished Trans Am and Camaro. This enthusiasm for automobiles ran deep within the family, as evidenced by their father, Dave Sr., who dedicated much of his career to Chrysler and took great pride in restoring Model T's during his youth.
In the summer before college, Carl embarked on a journey across Europe, exploring countries such as Germany and France. His innate desire to learn fueled his fascination with various cultures. This led him to become fluent in several languages, including German, Latin, Mandarin, and French, enriching his understanding and appreciation of the diverse tapestry of the world.
Carl's academic journey led him to the University of Delaware, where he initially pursued Music Theory on a full scholarship before transitioning to Chemistry. Despite this change, his love for music remained. In 1983, Carl proudly earned his B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Music Theory. Known for his intellect, Carl was a natural polymath, always eager to learn something new and generously share his wisdom with others. Carl had a passion for Jazz, starting as a saxophone player in his first band and later captivating people with his impressive guitar skills. His dedication to his craft was unparalleled; he famously remarked, "I'd play until my fingers bled." Throughout high school and college, Carl was a fixture in the music scene, performing with notable bands like "Moonlighting" and "The (original) Dave Matthews Band." He also lent his talents to produce music for Delaware's renowned entertainment venue, the "Three Little Bakers." Among his cherished memories was the opportunity for his band to open for Sheryl Crow in the 80s. Beyond music, Carl savored life's simple pleasures, indulging in hobbies like fishing, tennis, and mastering the art of cooking and grilling.
After college, he went on to work at W.L. Gore as a Chemist Assistant and made a very successful career for himself testing new products for their Fire Safety division. His work and research contributed to the fireproofing of materials for emergency personnel that revolutionized the industry for that time. He climbed the career latter and went on to work at Siemens where he focused on advancements in blood analysis for cancer patients; His expertise led him to collaborate with the Chinese research team in Hong Kong. Later, at Dentsply Sirona, he excelled as a liaison for their international client relationships team as well as being a lead chemistry researcher in developing progressive dental equipment.
He absolutely adored his daughters. Both of Carl's girls inherited their love of music and theatre from him, which he always encouraged and nurtured as they grew.
In 2020, Carl faced a profound challenge with the diagnosis of terminal metastatic prostate cancer. Despite this adversity, he remained surrounded by the love of his family and friends, cherishing every moment with his daughters and granddaughters. In his final years, he found solace in his craft, channeling his creativity into restoring and customizing guitars.
Above all, Carl will be remembered for his kindness, humor, and generosity of spirit. His laughter was infectious, his smile ever-present, and his heart endlessly giving. Beyond his joy in fatherhood, Carl found his greatest pride and affection as a Pee-Paw to his adoring granddaughters. Their love for him was boundless. He leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter that will be cherished by all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity Community Church in
Hockessin, Delaware on Saturday, June 8th, at 10 AM, to honor and remember Carl's life. All who knew and loved him are invited to join. Carl did not like the traditional idea of a 'funeral' or people dressing in black. We plan to celebrate him with a colorful and musical event.
Church Address: Trinity Community Church: 6580 Lancaster Pike,
In lieu of flowers, Carl's daughters are requesting that donations be made to Eluna, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and families impacted by grief or addiction.
Link to donate: https://elunanetwork.org/donate/