Philip Young, who ‘served at the heart of the church,’ is dead at age 88

He served alongside Marian Wright Edelman and Cesar Chavez

by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service

The Rev. Dr. Philip Young

LOUISVILLE — The Rev. Dr. Philip H. Young of Lexington, Virginia, died Wednesday at the age of 88.

According to his obituary, Young served at the heart of the church — north, south, east and west — for his whole life. He pastored congregations in New Jersey, North Carolina and Minnesota. He was a minister to ministers in Kentucky, Montana and California.

His work at the United Presbyterian Church (USA) Board of National Missions included working with the United Farm Workers in California, the United Mine Workers, and the Appalachian Committee for Full Employment in Kentucky.

He helped defend Head Start in Mississippi with Marian Wright Edelman, who later founded the Children’s Defense Fund. He served on the board of Mary Holmes College in Jackson, Miss., Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina and Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana.

He was president of the Council of Southern Mountains, president of Presbyterian Economic Development Corporation, treasurer of the National Council of Churches, and chairman of the board of the Northern California Presbyterian Homes. He founded the Covenant Presbyterian Insurance Program.

He was inspired by a self-defined role to act as a middle ground between poverty and affluence. His passion for social justice and his love for the church challenged his parishioners to see the world as Jesus would and to reach out to those near and far who were left out and needed assistance. He was a friend and mentor to many.

Born in Newton, Massachusetts and raised in Pittsburgh and Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, he attended Lower Merion High School and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where he was the drum major. He received his divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. The Albertson College of Idaho and Rocky Mountain College awarded him honorary degrees. He was a longtime volleyball player, coach and referee in Virginia, Minnesota and Montana. He walked on water if it was cold enough. He wandered the mountains trying to do a little good.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty Jean Gilmer Young, his children, Beth, Gil, Becca, and Stephen Young, daughters-in-law Janet Krueger and Sara Young, and six grandchildren, Courtenay, Quinn, Ben, Martha, Nicholas and Lucas.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Bread for the World or the Children’s Defense Fund.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Lexington Presbyterian Church, 120 South Main Street, Lexington, Virginia.