NORWICH – Phillip E. “Tex” Youngs, 72, of Norwich, passed away May 7, 2007 at Chenango Memorial Hospital with his family by his side.
The son of the late Edward S. Youngs and the late Helen M. (Cady) Brown, Phil was born on Sept. 4, 1934. He attended the South New Berlin Central School and enlisted in the United States Navy in April of 1953, serving his country and sailing around the world on the USS Hornet, discharging from service in February of 1961.
On Nov. 8, 1961, he married the love of his life, Carol E. (Rivenburgh) Youngs, who predeceased him on Feb. 4, 2006. Together they raised six children.
Phil was considered a “jack of all trades,” spending his early years working as a short order cook for two local diners, Scarcella’s and The Bluebird. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and trapper, often providing for his family on his “catch of the day.” He worked road construction before moving his family to Otselic and opening his own business, Phil’s New & Used Auto Parts and Towing Service. Phil was an avid NASCAR fan never missing a Sunday watching the race. He himself raced the DIRT circuit from the early 1960s to the early 1980s and was known to take his car on a trial run up and down Route 80 in Otselic. After retiring from racing, Phil joined his three sons in New Mexico working the oil rigs during the winters before starting a new business, BJ Specialty Sales including running a weekly flea market at the Norwich Grange Hall. With his wife by his side, he eventually broadened his business to selling at fairs and flea markets up and down the east coast. Eventually summering in Reamstown, Pa., wintering and in 2001 retired permanently in Port Salerno, Fla., where he obtained his captain’s license and became a commercial fisherman. Upon the passing of his beloved wife Carol, Phil moved back to Norwich to be with his children.
Phil is survived by his children, two sons, Kevin Rivenburgh of Norwich, Jeff and his wife Karen Rivenburgh of Cape Coral, Fla; three daughters, Julie (Rivenburgh) and her husband Tom Crandall of Norwich, Gina (Youngs) Cruikshank and companion Harvey Pollock of Norwich, Stacey Youngs of Rochester; daughter-in-law, Lisa Youngs of Norwich; his sister Mary Ann Brown of Camp Hill, Pa.; his sister-in-law Sandy (and Roy) Rothwell of Plymouth and his brother-in-law Don (and Judy) Rivenburgh of Athens, Ala. as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his wife and parents, Phil as predeceased by three children, Edward A. Youngs, Julie A. Youngs and Robert a Youngs; his step-father, Kennard Brown and his brother David Youngs.
Phil was the type of man that when he said he was going to do something he did it. Phil will be greatly missed by his family.
At Phil’s request, there will be no formal service. Donations in his memory may be made to the local Veteran’s Administration.