Memorial services for Mr. Ernest Lee Young, III, age 84 of Ruston, LA will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, October 20, 2023 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston with Rev. Doug De Graffenried officiating. Services will be held under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
Ernest was born September 2, 2023 in Ruston to Elijah Lee and Armede “Mamede” Young and passed away October 14, 2023 in Ruston. The Young family relocated to Jonesville, LA, and he spent his childhood there. The family returned to Ruston when Ernest was a teenager. He was a graduate in the Class of 1957 of Ruston High School. In 1962, Ernest earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. At the university, he was a member of the ROTC and was a fraternity brother in Kappa Sigma. Ernest also met his wife Andrea in university at the Wesley Foundation. The two married in 1960. After university, he joined the United States Air Force. Ernest was a KC-135 pilot in the Vietnam War and rose to the rank of captain. After serving two tours, he returned as an Air Force Reservist to Louisiana. Ernest worked in his dad’s Chevron distributor business, later opened E. Lee Young Motor Supply and then settled down with Andrea to raise a family in Ruston. He was active in the community. Ernest loved God, his family and his country. He was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church and was involved in the United Methodist Cursillo where he served as a board member and as a board chairman. Ernest also held several leadership roles in Epiphany Prison Ministry for Youth at the Swanson Correctional Center. Civically, he was a past board chair of the Wesley Foundation for Grambling State University. Ernest was also active with the Masonic Lodge, the Shriners and the Kiwanis Club of Ruston. Like clockwork, he made certain that the annual Kiwanis Club Pancake Day went off without a hitch. Ernest was a member of the Ruston and Choudrant/Dubach lodges. In 2016, he served as Grand Chaplain for the State of Louisiana Masonic Lodge and, in 2013, was the Third District Deputy Grand Master. Ernest was a friend to all he met and was always ready to give his time and his talents whenever and wherever he was needed. Actually, he had a fourth love – golf! No matter his church or his community commitments, Ernest always found the time to visit “The Greens.” Whether watching it or playing it with his friends, golf was by far his favorite hobby. Ernest was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Lori Young Cupps.
Ernest is survived by his wife of 63 years Andrea of Ruston; four children: Ernest Lee “Ernie” Young, IV, of Ruston, Virginia “Gay” Young of New Orleans, LA, Roxanne Hardel (James) of Choudrant, LA and Grace Young (Jeannene Flowers) of Brandon, MS; son-in-law Brian Cupps of St. Louis, MO; three grandchildren: Jacob Cupps of St. Louis, Justin Cupps (Jane) of Columbia, MO and Connor Lee of Choudrant; sister Beth Vosburg (Bill); five nephews; two great-nieces; and many other relatives.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are Charles Smith, Rusty Strozer, James Florence, Benny Denny, Speedy Edwards, Tony Farley, Mike Frazier, Butch Hightower and Dud Holland.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Mr. Young’s honor to: the Methodist Children’s Home of Ruston, United Methodist Commission on Relief (UMCOR), Trinity Methodist Church or a charity of your choosing.
Visitation will be held from 12:00-1:00 PM, Friday, October 20, 2023 at the church.
