Charles Young

Charles Young, 81

Charles Edward (Tad) Young, 81, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 after a long, courageous journey with cancer. He was accompanied by the love and prayers of so many family members and friends near and far, and by his gifted hospice nurses.

Charlie was born on August 24, 1944 in Pittsburgh, PA to Harry and Winnie (Rupert) Young, the first of three sons. He grew up in Oakmont, PA outside of Pittsburgh, amidst a BIG Presbyterian family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. He spent his childhood roaming the woods and streams in the area, inevitably bringing home all manner of living creatures including snakes, frogs, birds, and more. This passion gave his mother some interesting challenges! Because of his dyslexia, he struggled with grades in school, except when it came to the sciences or PE. He especially excelled in track and gymnastics.

Charlie graduated in 1962 and enlisted in the US Navy at age 17. He spent 3 years as an enlisted man, and followed that by 4 years as a civilian working for the Navy during the Viet Nam war. He was the youngest journeyman mechanic at North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, repairing and servicing the planes coming and going from Viet Nam. His intuition and skill as a mechanic were highly valued by his commanding officers, but his tendency to pulling off some very creative pranks definitely gave them some headaches as well. Charlie especially treasured the opportunities he had during those years to spend time with the WWII Navy veterans serving on North Island, for whom he had great admiration and respect. During these years he earned a brown belt in karate, and spent many hours surfing the waves and playing beach volleyball.

In 1969, Charlie made his way to Montana with a friend, finding work at LC Livestock ranch south of Lima for a couple years, and then at the marina at Clark Canyon Reservoir. Finally he landed a job at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (for trumpeter swans). Charlie lived and worked for 21 years on this remote wildlife refuge of 102 sq. miles, located in the Centennial Valley and situated at 6700 ft elevation and with a resident population of 5 people. He was the maintenance foreman with roads, fences, dams, boats, bridges, heavy equipment, snowmobiles, trucks, refuge buildings and homes under his care. Even outside of work hours, it wasn't unusual to find him helping out refuge visitors who had vehicle problems. He also trained in law enforcement and served as a game warden there for many years. He loved that valley, putting in many miles hiking with his dogs and back country skiing in the Centennials. This was also the time when he authored many stories for young readers, one of which was published.

It was there at the refuge where he met his future life partner, Janet Benson. She was camping there with a girlfriend on the July 4th weekend of 1985 when she had two flat tires. Charlie came to the rescue, driving them to West Yellowstone, buying her two new tires, later fixing BBQ chicken, and serenading her with ballads on his guitar. That began their courtship. They were married in 1992 at the refuge, making a commitment to each other to always continue learning and growing in mind and heart. He took early retirement in 1994, and was then able to live year round in Helena with Janet and stepdaughter Inga. For over 40 years, Charlie was a wise and fun-loving stepfather to Inga whom he loved so very much.

He spent the next years putting his pilot's license and his A&P airplane mechanic's license to good use. In 2001, they moved to Hot Springs, MT, building a home and becoming a grateful part of that community. He was known and loved there as a man of solid integrity, loving generosity, inventiveness, humor, and as a troubleshooter extraordinaire, from whose knowledge and skills many people benefited. He strived to guide his life by Jesus' great commandment to love God and to love others. As a husband, he was the best! He was loving, devoted, hard-working, funny, and so good at just keeping things simple. He will be hugely missed!

Charlie was predeceased by his parents, his younger brother Harry, Jr, and all his aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife Janet of Hot Springs, his stepdaughter Inga Rehmann (Don Ziebell) of Flagstaff, AZ, his brother Bill (Ellen) Young of Oakmont, PA, and many, many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life followed by a potluck meal will be held on Saturday, January 24 at 12 noon at Lonepine Community Hall in Lonepine, MT. Interment will be at Murray Memorial Cemetery. Those who wish to remember Charlie in a special way may make gifts to CFVH Hospice, PO Box 768, Plains, MT 59859.