Donald R. 'Buck' Young

Donald R. “Buck” Young,  passed away peacefully Dec. 15, 2013, at home surrounded by his wife Toni and family after battling metastatic melanoma, and we lost his indomitable spirit and zest for life.

He was born on Aug. 1 in Newark, Ohio to George and Florence Young, joining much older siblings Bill, Evelyn, and Eileen, who have all passed away.

Buck attended schools in Newark where he learned his lifelong passion for basketball, baseball and golf. He attended Baldwin Wallace, studying engineering on a basketball scholarship, going on to play semi-pro ball for a few years, and later was a referee in his spare time. Buck was passionate about the game and spent most of his life coaching and teaching kids of all ages how to perfect not only their shots and play their best, but always putting in life lessons to help shape them into responsible adults. He had an amazing, generous heart and a very funny sense of humor. He served in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer and was stationed in Korea after the war, and while there he was asked to play in the Far East Basketball Games in Okinawa, a huge thrill for him.

Buck worked for Owens Corning in Newark, at their Fiberglas insulation plant for many years before transferring to the Science and Technology Center in Granville, Ohio as the purchasing manager in charge of chemicals and construction projects.

When he retired he moved with his wife Toni to Montana to be closer to her family and play on Flathead Lake, Polson’s beautiful golf course, ski in the mountains and just sit on his deck watching the beauty of this amazing place in Montana. He never forgot Ohio, making a few trips each year there, but his heart was truly awestruck by Montana. Buck spent countless hours volunteering for the Flathead Lake 3 on 3, the PHS Booster Club, Sunday open gyms, hand-placing the original bricks at the PHS Sports Complex, at basketball, volleyball, track and golf events, for Share the Spirit and all of the many volunteer organizations that Toni belongs to. He loved giving of his time and talents for the enjoyment of others, and supporting his community.

The family would like to thank the nursing staff of St. Joseph Hospital and Partners Hospice for their compassion and gentle, loving care.

Zachary, Buck's son, passed away in March of this year, the same week that Buck was diagnosed with the aggressive melanoma.

He is survived by his wife, Toni; stepdaughters, Vanessa Hayward and Jeff, and Charity Reese and Austin; granddaughter, Nadia Reese; grandson, Zachariah Young and Kim, and kids Kyla, Talon and Caden; granddaughter, Tessa Young Harris and children Carson and Addlynn; niece, Joanne Bevacqua and Bob; nephew, Mike Young and Susie; and Toni’s many siblings and their families.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 3 at Immaculate Conception Church in Polson, with a lunch following. Please join us and share your memories. 

Memorials can be made to the Greater Polson Community Foundation for scholarship in Buck's name.

Messages of condolence may be shared with the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.