Charles R. Young

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Charles Robert "Charlie" Young, who departed this life peacefully on February 16, 2025, at the age of 80, in Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, Allentown, PA. He was the loving husband of Gail (Sanders) Young, whom he married on June 10, 1967. He was also a loving father and grandfather. His family was of the utmost importance to him.

Born in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Charlie was a son of the late Robert Barian Young, Jr., and Grace Margaret (Whitham) Young. He was a 1962 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, of Levittown, PA, where he was an accomplished athlete and honor roll student. He played on the varsity tennis, basketball, and soccer teams and played on several county championship teams.

Following his high school graduation, Charlie attended Kutztown University, where he received both his bachelor's (1966) and master's (1969) degrees in Education. He was on the Dean's List and was a member of the Student Activity Board and Student Government. Charlie was focused on his athletics while attending KU as well. He was a member of the varsity tennis team, serving as team captain for three years, and as the player coach for two years. At that time, Charlie won the most games in the team's history and had the most single victories. He also was a member of the varsity basketball team and was the team co-captain in 1966, where he led the team in rebounding and to the Eastern Conference, where they placed second in the finals. He had a record-breaking year in 1966 in rebounding and rebounding percentage and was ranked 13th in the nation for rebounding in the NAIA. He was voted the All-Conference Team Honorable Mention and received the Outstanding Senior Basketball Award, both in 1966. In 1969, Charlie was a member of the Exeter Black Knights NAIA National Basketball Championship team. He also was the pitcher for fast and slow pitch softball in Reading, Topton, and Fleetwood. Charlie's athletic accolades also include his induction to the Kutztown University Athletic Hall of Fame for basketball and tennis in 2021, Induction into the Fleetwood High School Athletic Hall of Fame for coaching in 2013, and his induction into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Berks County Chapter, for basketball.

Mr. Young spent his life dedicated to nurturing young minds and shaping the future through his role as a fifth-grade teacher in the Fleetwood Area School District for 35 years until his retirement in 2001. While teaching at Fleetwood, Charlie was instrumental in designing a three-day camping experience for fifth-grade students, the inception of the beloved Field Day, and the Christmas Talent Show. He also was a part of the Nolde Forest School pilot program on conservation, the Reading Hospital's pilot nutrition program for schools, the inception and development of the D.A.R.E. program along with the Fleetwood Police Dept., taught an enrichment summer science course, and began the fifth-grade basketball tournament. His engaging teaching style and unwavering leadership made him a favorite among both students and colleagues and he was nominated for the Walt Disney Teacher of the Year award. His passion for learning and commitment to his students left a lasting impact, as he cultivated an environment that fostered knowledge, curiosity, and a love for education. Coach Young was also very active in Fleetwood athletics. He was the coach for the Jr. High School and Sr. High School varsity boys' basketball teams, winning the most games in Fleetwood history during his coaching tenure. He led the team to victory in the District 3 Class A Championship in 1983-84 and the Eastern Semi-Finals, finishing with a record setting year. He had the privilege of coaching two All-State players and numerous All-County players and coached several Berks County All Star teams. He was nominated for the Berks County Coach of the Year award as well. He brought his basketball coaching career full circle when he coached his grandson, Zack's 2nd-5th grade team with his daughter, Kathi.

Charlie also taught graduate level courses for Wilke's University for 30 years and wrote an international graduate education course for Performance Learning Systems ("MAGIC") that is still offered today. He was a presenter at Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) Conventions, an in-service and course instructor throughout The United States, was a guest instructor for PSEA regional training workshops, and was a guest speaker at practicum sessions for student teachers at Kutztown University. He enjoyed speaking and presenting in a manner that was engaging and included his trademark stories.

Charlie gave back to his FASD teaching community, Kutztown community and Berks County sports community, in so many ways. He served as the President of the Fleetwood Education Association for 30 years, served as President and founding member of the Fleetwood Sports Hall of Fame, served as Treasurer for the Berks County Roundtable, was a member of the Kutztown Optimist Club, Kutztown Recreation Board, and Kutztown Area Historical Society. He was a faithful member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Kutztown, where he served on the church Consistory, was the Chairman of the Christian Education Committee, was a Sunday School Teacher for over 35 years, and assisted with the yearly Confirmation Classes.

Above all his sports accomplishments, teaching and community involvement, family was everything to Charlie. He was always active in his daughters' lives and their activities, and this extended to his grandchildren's lives as well. Following his retirement, Charlie dedicated his time to taking care of two of his grandsons in Fleetwood while also making frequent trips to Missouri to spend time with his three grandchildren there. While retired, and seeing the need for more of a variety of reading content for fifth grade students, Charlie wrote and published five children's books. In collaboration with his grandchildren, he wrote countless more. He traveled around the country presenting his books at elementary schools. His grandchildren especially enjoyed having "Gramps" as the guest reader in their classrooms. Charlie also looked forward to annual family trips to Ocean City, NJ and frequent trips to Walt Disney World, family traditions he and his wife started and the whole family looked forward to. He enjoyed landscaping around his home and Februarys in Florida with Gail. In retirement, Charlie played golf regularly with his grandsons and son-in-law and his close friends, whom he also met faithfully for breakfasts and Monday night football.

Charlie was a 42-year cancer survivor. He was active with Relay for Life of Kutztown for many years and was truly an inspiration for countless fighters and survivors. His warmth and kindness touched everyone he met, and he will be remembered for his young at heart spirit and his infectious enthusiasm for life.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gail; three daughters, Sherri (Young) Theoharidis, Ph.D., and her husband, Akilis Theoharidis, DPM, Kansas City, MO, Kathi D. (Young) Fry, and her husband, James D. Fry, Fleetwood, PA, and Natali (Young) Merrick, and her husband, Benjamin Merrick, Independence, MO; five grandchildren, Alexis L. Theoharidis, Nicodemus J. Fry, Michael C. Theoharidis, Zachariah D. Fry, and Caden H. Merrick; two sisters, Margaret "Peggy" Parker, widow of Eugene Parker, Virginia Beach, VA, and Janette (Young) Deeley, and her husband, William Deeley, Cape May Courthouse, NJ; and predeceased by his brother, Robert Barian Young, III. He is also survived by his Godson, Robert Barian Young, IV; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and their families.

A memorial service to celebrate and honor Charlie's life will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. in St. John's United Church of Christ, 257 W. Walnut Street, Kutztown, PA with The Reverend Scott M. Sanders officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the church. Burial will be held privately.

A celebration of life luncheon will follow the services at Kutztown Beneficial Association (Kutztown Fire Company), 310 Noble Street, Kutztown, PA, a place where Charlie frequented.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Charles R. Young Memorial Fund c/o Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., P.O. Box 292, Kutztown, PA 19530 to be used for a future donation to The Kutztown Historical Society and Fleetwood Athletic Department in his memory.

Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown, PA is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com.