Jaryl Lee Young

Jaryl L. Young passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025, two weeks after his 90th birthday.

Jaryl was born on October 8, 1935 in Brady, Texas. He is the second son of Arthur and Marie Young. He graduated as his class Valedictorian from Brady High School in 1953. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Abilene Christian College in 1957, and a Masters of Arts from Abilene Christian College in 1962.

While playing saxophone in the ACC band, he met Sharon Cummings who also was in the band. They married June 27, 1958 in Panhandle, Texas. Jaryl & Sharon enjoyed 59 years of marriage before Sharon passed away on November 4, 2017.

Jaryl served in the Army from August 1957 - August 1960. With a Top Security Clearance, he worked primarily in administration until the Army discovered he played saxophone and clarinet. He was promptly reassigned to play in the 29th Army Band. He also wrote articles for the military newspaper. He spent the majority of his military career in the band in Ryukyuan Islands, primarily in Okinawa. He finished his service in Maryland in the 327th Army Band.

After his service in the Army, Jaryl began his teaching career. He taught history at Ralls High School; history, speech and drama at Seymour High School; and history at Southwestern Christian College in Terrell. He taught world history at Abilene High School from 1972 until he retired in 1991. He also taught history part time at McMurry University.

During his retirement, he was the Food Editor for the Abilene Reporter-News for several years. He and Sharon also discovered a love for hunting and reselling antiques. You could often find them at garage sales and estate sales searching for items for their eBay store, Youngs Oldies, and their many booths in antique galleries across Abilene. They also went on the road several times a year to set up booths at quilt shows. He enjoyed working in his garden and yard. He and Sharon loved to travel and went on many group trips with Bilbrey Travel as well as cross country adventures of their own.

They loved to entertain and often opened up their home for Bible studies and youth group activities, as well as wedding and baby showers. Every Christmas season, you could find them in their kitchen preparing a buffet of holiday treats for their guests for their annual Christmas Open House.

He was a member of the Woodlawn Church of Christ and taught Bible classes for many different age groups. He also served as an Elder. He also attended Westgate Church of Christ and University Church of Christ while they lived in Abilene.

Jaryl was a lifetime member of the TSTA/NEA, National PTA and the Abilene and Texas Retired Teachers Association.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Sharyl and Jeff Ayers of Abilene, Texas, and daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Gary Wideman of Burnet, Texas. Granddaughters Melissa Ayers of Dallas, Texas; Katy and Josh Starr of Fort Worth, Abigail and Noah Coots of Santa Monica, California; and Caroline and LT.j.g. Jacob Tidwell, US Navy, of Corpus Christi. He is also survived by his great-granddaughter Annabelle (Annie) Lee Starr, born October 22, 2025. Additional survivors include his nieces and nephews, as well as a host of friends.

The family extends gratitude to Dr. William Shudde and his team for their consistent and compassionate care. They would also like to thank University Place and Wesley Court for his care while he lived there, and Hendrick Hospice for their care for him during his last days

He will be honored with a family visitation on Monday, November 3, 2025, from 1:00 - 2:00 pm at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 US Highway 277 South, Abilene, Texas. Graveside services will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be given to the Christian Service Center of Abilene, Texas, or Cherokee Home for Children, Cherokee, Texas.