Ray Young

A celebration of the life of Mayther Ray Young will be held at First Baptist Church of Wisner at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2024.
The family will receive visitors at the church from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, January 26, and from 10 a.m. until time of service on Saturday.
Ray Young, 94, passed away peacefully at his home on January 21, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born in Hico, La., in 1929 and grew up on a subsistence farm, plowing with a mule, milking cows and picking cotton. He graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a bachelor's degree in agriculture, later receiving a master's degree in entomology from Louisiana State University.
He was a pilot in the U.S. Navy from 1950-55. He moved his young family to Wisner in 1955 and built a thriving agriculture business which, at varying times, included a swine operation, cattle and row crops including cotton, corn, soybeans, potatoes and more. He also operated an agriculture consulting business, serving farmers throughout North Louisiana. Ray was active as a member and officer in local, state and national agriculture organizations and worked for many years advocating for ag issues in Washington, D.C. He was highly regarded by his peers and the many awards and recognitions bestowed on him are truly too numerous to list.
His public service has included a term as mayor of Wisner and several terms on the Franklin Parish Police Jury, in addition to service on the Louisiana Land Bank, National Farm Credit Council and chairman of the Louisiana Farm Service Agency. He also served on the board of Louisiana College, now Louisiana Christian University.
Ray would tell you the most important thing about him was his relationship with Jesus Christ. A man of deep faith, he was an active member of First Baptist Church of Wisner where he taught Sunday School and served as a deacon and member of the choir. His generosity and example of faithfulness were an inspiration to his church and community.
Next to his faith, his family was the most important thing in his life. He and his wife, Dorothy, recently celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. He was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Burns Young of Wisner; four children and their spouses: Tony and Marlene Young of Ruston, June and Danny Jennings of West Monroe, Peggy and David Kallevig of Alexandria, Minnesota, and Jesse and Leslie Young of Wisner; grandchildren Daniel Young, Marny Wheeler, Jamie Atwell, Jessica Handy, Michael Young, Mark Kallevig, Candace Aaker and Nathaniel Jennings; great-grandchildren Mason and Eva Wheeler, Eleanor and Jubal Atwell, Evangeline, Abram and Shepherd Handy, Nicholas, Dorothy and Margaret Young, Asher and Auriella Aaker and Ada Kallevig; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Benjamin Young Jennings.
The family offers deep gratitude to his caregivers Delia Crum, Dena Allbritton, Jan Bass and Kasey Berry, the staff of Homecare TLC and his longtime physician Dr. Roger Smith.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Wisner, P.O. Box 97, Wisner, LA 71378, or the charity of your choice.
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