Gordon L. Youngs

Gordon L. Youngs, age 91, died peacefully on January 24, 2014 at his home in Stonebridge, Skillman, New Jersey. Born in Trenton, N.J. to Arthur M. and Juanita Willmarth Youngs, Gordon grew up on Elmhurst Avenue in Trenton. He graduated from Bordentown Military Institute and the Hun School, and he attended Lafayette College until he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. Gordon married his sweetheart Elide "Bebe" Donini on June 17, 1942. He was stationed in Manhattan, N.Y. and later served on the U.S.S. George Randall, which carried troops from Europe to the Pacific. Gordon loved playing the trumpet and played in bands at B.M.I. and in the Coast Guard. After the war, Gordon joined his father at Youngs Rubber Corporation in Trenton, where he served as president from 1946 until 1985. Gordon's primary focus was always Bebe and their children. Married 69 years prior to Bebe's passing in 2011, they were two halves of a beautiful romance. Family life was full of their children's sports, vacations, church, education, and big picnics and parties for family and friends. Nieces and nephews all recall that "Uncle Gord" was constantly teaching and coaching valuable skills to the younger generation. Gordon was very active in the Pennington Methodist Church, and many community organizations. He was an avid golfer at the Trenton Country Club. Gordon also learned to fly his own airplane at Trenton's Mercer Country Airport. He was an experienced boater, having spent summers on the St. Lawrence River, and in later years, he sailed out of Toms River, N.J. He also served on the boards of the Ewing Bank and Trust Co. and The Pennington School. When Gord and Bebe retired to Naples, Fl, they were once again blessed with dear friends and a lifestyle they loved. Gordon was predeceased by his wife, Elide, their twin infant girls, Gwen and Gail, their granddaughter, Allyson Gale Strand, his stepmother, Bertha Youngs, brothers William and Allan Youngs, and his sister-in-law Jeanne Youngs. Gordon is survived by his three children, Gordon L. Youngs, Jr. and wife Dr. Dorothy Jeanne Youngs of Flemington, Gregory A. Youngs of Fairfield, Iowa, and Patricia Y. Myers and husband Robert B. Myers, Jr. of Ringoes. He is also survived by his half sister Linda Youngs Natanzon, his half brother Robert Youngs, step-grandsons, Robert B. Myers, III and wife, Alison Myers, and Christian R. Myers, as well as many nieces and nephews. A memorial service honoring and celebrating the life of Gordon Youngs will be held at the Pennington United Methodist Church, 60 S. Main St., Pennington, N.J. 08534 on Friday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations for Gordon may be made to the Pennington United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.

Service:

Friday, January 31, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.

Pennington United Methodist Church
21 North Main St., Pennington, N:J