James Young

James M. "Jim" Young, 78, of Jackson passed away Friday, April 28, 2023, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born April 25, 1945, in Pittsburgh to Marion R. and June A. Fleishner Young. He and Wanda Fluegge were married in 1990 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, also the church of their current membership.

Jim was a 1963 graduate of Plum High School in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. There, he learned an appreciation of music and excelled as a saxophonist in the band program. He received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from University of Cincinnati. He worked as a mechanical engineer for Procter & Gamble.

Jim was a longtime member and former president of Evening Optimist Club in Jackson. He also served as East Missouri District lieutenant governor and enjoyed volunteering for Optimist Night at Bingo World in Cape Girardeau.

Jim's other accomplishments include earning his pilot's license and his real estate and broker's license. He especially enjoyed playing the autoharp and was accomplished in woodworking, even making his own autoharp.

Loving survivors include his wife of 32 years, Wanda Young of Jackson; three children, Jeff (Jennifer) Young of Plain City, Ohio, Raina (Soteros) Manniaty of Blanchester, Ohio, and Jaime Young (Joshua Freeman) of Sikeston, Missouri; five grandchildren, with another expected soon; two sisters, Sally (Tom) Secrist and Sandy Bell, both of Pennsylvania; and mother-in-law, Betty (the late Charles) Fluegge of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 4, and from 9:30 a.m. to time of service Friday, May 5, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The Rev. Joshua Schmidt will conduct the funeral at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 5, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Cape Girardeau County History Center or St. Paul Radio Broadcast.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Jim's obituary article at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.