Norbert "Ray" Young was born on October 24, 1942, to Jak and Mary Frances Young in Reedley, CA. He grew up in Orange Cove, CA, a small agricultural town, with his brother Robert, who preceded him in death in 2013. He attended Reedley High School and Reedley College, playing his favorite sport, football, at both schools. After completing school, he worked for the forest service and the Reedley Cemetery.
In December of 1966, he left the Central Valley for Redondo Beach to work for Southern California Edison in steam generation. He started as an entry-level employee and became an Instrument Technician, Engineering Aide, and Community Relations Representative for the Alamitos Generating Station. He retired from Edison in July of 1996, just 5 months short of 30 years with the company. After retirement, he held several part-time jobs, including being a shuttle driver for Hertz. He also volunteered for Precious Life Shelter and was known as "honey-do Ray." Later he worked with the BARK program with his therapy dog, Halle, going to schools, libraries, convalescent homes, and homes for disabled adults.
Ray enjoyed sports and was competitive in both volleyball and racquetball. In later years, he continued to exercise through his early morning walks to Cal State LB. He also found great enjoyment in watching sports on TV. He was an especially avid St. John Bosco sports fan. He was an active member of St. Joseph Parish and assisted in many of the school and church activities, including bingo, coaching, Movement for a Better World, helping Deacon Don with the homeless outreach, and Project Achieve. Probably one of Ray's favorite activities was his Friday morning meeting with the "breakfast boys".
Ray lived a full and active life despite many health issues. He was a generous and kind man who loved his family above all. He leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Virginia, and children, Melissa (Shaun), Mark (Judi), and Matthew (Luz) as well as five grandchildren, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral Mass will take place at St. Joseph Church, Long Beach, on December 11 at 10 am, and a reception will follow from 11:15 am to 2:15 pm. Burial will be private at a later date. Donations in Ray's name may be made to ESTHER Ministry (human trafficking) and/or Movement for a Better World. Both at St. Joseph Church, 6180 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90815.
In December of 1966, he left the Central Valley for Redondo Beach to work for Southern California Edison in steam generation. He started as an entry-level employee and became an Instrument Technician, Engineering Aide, and Community Relations Representative for the Alamitos Generating Station. He retired from Edison in July of 1996, just 5 months short of 30 years with the company. After retirement, he held several part-time jobs, including being a shuttle driver for Hertz. He also volunteered for Precious Life Shelter and was known as "honey-do Ray." Later he worked with the BARK program with his therapy dog, Halle, going to schools, libraries, convalescent homes, and homes for disabled adults.
Ray enjoyed sports and was competitive in both volleyball and racquetball. In later years, he continued to exercise through his early morning walks to Cal State LB. He also found great enjoyment in watching sports on TV. He was an especially avid St. John Bosco sports fan. He was an active member of St. Joseph Parish and assisted in many of the school and church activities, including bingo, coaching, Movement for a Better World, helping Deacon Don with the homeless outreach, and Project Achieve. Probably one of Ray's favorite activities was his Friday morning meeting with the "breakfast boys".
Ray lived a full and active life despite many health issues. He was a generous and kind man who loved his family above all. He leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Virginia, and children, Melissa (Shaun), Mark (Judi), and Matthew (Luz) as well as five grandchildren, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral Mass will take place at St. Joseph Church, Long Beach, on December 11 at 10 am, and a reception will follow from 11:15 am to 2:15 pm. Burial will be private at a later date. Donations in Ray's name may be made to ESTHER Ministry (human trafficking) and/or Movement for a Better World. Both at St. Joseph Church, 6180 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90815.
Norbert "Ray" Young was born on October 24, 1942, to Jak and Mary Frances Young in Reedley, CA. He grew up in Orange Cove, CA, a small agricultural town, with his brother Robert, who preceded him in death in 2013. He attended Reedley High School and Reedley College, playing his favorite sport, football, at both schools. After completing school, he worked for the forest service and the Reedley Cemetery.
In December of 1966, he left the Central Valley for Redondo Beach to work for Southern California Edison in steam generation. He started as an entry-level employee and became an Instrument Technician, Engineering Aide, and Community Relations Representative for the Alamitos Generating Station. He retired from Edison in July of 1996, just 5 months short of 30 years with the company. After retirement, he held several part-time jobs, including being a shuttle driver for Hertz. He also volunteered for Precious Life Shelter and was known as "honey-do Ray." Later he worked with the BARK program with his therapy dog, Halle, going to schools, libraries, convalescent homes, and homes for disabled adults.
Ray enjoyed sports and was competitive in both volleyball and racquetball. In later years, he continued to exercise through his early morning walks to Cal State LB. He also found great enjoyment in watching sports on TV. He was an especially avid St. John Bosco sports fan. He was an active member of St. Joseph Parish and assisted in many of the school and church activities, including bingo, coaching, Movement for a Better World, helping Deacon Don with the homeless outreach, and Project Achieve. Probably one of Ray's favorite activities was his Friday morning meeting with the "breakfast boys".
Ray lived a full and active life despite many health issues. He was a generous and kind man who loved his family above all. He leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Virginia, and children, Melissa (Shaun), Mark (Judi), and Matthew (Luz) as well as five grandchildren, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral Mass will take place at St. Joseph Church, Long Beach, on December 11 at 10 am, and a reception will follow from 11:15 am to 2:15 pm. Burial will be private at a later date. Donations in Ray's name may be made to ESTHER Ministry (human trafficking) and/or Movement for a Better World. Both at St. Joseph Church, 6180 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90815.
In December of 1966, he left the Central Valley for Redondo Beach to work for Southern California Edison in steam generation. He started as an entry-level employee and became an Instrument Technician, Engineering Aide, and Community Relations Representative for the Alamitos Generating Station. He retired from Edison in July of 1996, just 5 months short of 30 years with the company. After retirement, he held several part-time jobs, including being a shuttle driver for Hertz. He also volunteered for Precious Life Shelter and was known as "honey-do Ray." Later he worked with the BARK program with his therapy dog, Halle, going to schools, libraries, convalescent homes, and homes for disabled adults.
Ray enjoyed sports and was competitive in both volleyball and racquetball. In later years, he continued to exercise through his early morning walks to Cal State LB. He also found great enjoyment in watching sports on TV. He was an especially avid St. John Bosco sports fan. He was an active member of St. Joseph Parish and assisted in many of the school and church activities, including bingo, coaching, Movement for a Better World, helping Deacon Don with the homeless outreach, and Project Achieve. Probably one of Ray's favorite activities was his Friday morning meeting with the "breakfast boys".
Ray lived a full and active life despite many health issues. He was a generous and kind man who loved his family above all. He leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Virginia, and children, Melissa (Shaun), Mark (Judi), and Matthew (Luz) as well as five grandchildren, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral Mass will take place at St. Joseph Church, Long Beach, on December 11 at 10 am, and a reception will follow from 11:15 am to 2:15 pm. Burial will be private at a later date. Donations in Ray's name may be made to ESTHER Ministry (human trafficking) and/or Movement for a Better World. Both at St. Joseph Church, 6180 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90815.
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