Booker Young

Booker T. Young Jr. was born on November 12, 1948, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Booker T. Young Sr. and Laurene Thomas Young. He peacefully departed this life on October 28, 2026, at the age of 77, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, faith, and cherished memories.

Booker spent his childhood growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas. As part of a military family, he experienced moving to different places throughout his childhood. Eventually, his family settled in California, where he graduated from Seaside High School in Seaside, California, in 1966. Following graduation, he briefly attended Monterey Peninsula College before answering the call to serve his country.

On September 5, 1969, Booker enlisted in the United States Army. During his military service, Sergeant Young served in South Korea and the Philippines until June 29, 1972. His dedication and service to his country earned him three distinguished military honors: the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. His service reflected his commitment, discipline, and willingness to serve something greater than himself.

Booker dedicated many years of his life to serving others through his professional career. While living in Oakland, California, he worked as a City Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service, faithfully delivering mail and serving the community. He gained the name “Famous” because he could complete two mail routes in a day, take a break, and still make it back to the office before his peers. He was the best at delivering!. Later, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Booker continued his commitment to service through his work with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He served as a My HealtheVet Program Assistant, where he assisted veterans with navigating and utilizing the VA's online health management portal. Through his work, Booker had the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, particularly the veterans who had served our country.

Booker accepted Christ at an early age and later rededicated his life to Christ at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. His faith was reflected not only in his words but also in his actions and willingness to serve others. His favorite Scripture was “Honor thy mother and thy father that your days may be long upon the land.” – Exodus 20:12

He was part of the Food Distribution and Outreach Ministry at Mount Zion, where he generously donated food to support the church's food distribution efforts. His heart for service extended beyond the church walls, as he also prepared and provided home cooked meals for his fellow veterans. Booker understood that sometimes the greatest expression of love is simply making sure someone else is taken care of. Through his generosity, kindness, and service, he made a difference in the lives of many.

Above all, Booker loved his blended family unconditionally. He had a special way of making each person feel as though they were his very favorite. His love was intentional, genuine, and demonstrated through the little things that meant so much.

He took great pride in calling family members on their birthdays, traveling to family reunions, enjoying lunch visits with his grandchildren at school, attending special family occasions, and celebrating as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren reached important milestones. These moments brought him tremendous joy.

Booker often expressed how thankful he was for the blessings he had been given, especially the opportunity to witness so much of his family's lives and accomplishments. He treasured the visits from family members who traveled from California and never took those moments together for granted. His family was his pride, his joy, and one of his greatest blessings.

Booker was an avid sports fan who proudly cheered for the Oakland, now Las Vegas, Raiders, as well as the Nebraska Husker Women's Basketball and Volleyball teams. When he wasn't watching sports, he enjoyed playing chess and dominoes, activities that allowed him to share laughter, friendly competition, and special moments with family and friends.

Booker leaves behind a lifetime of memories, lessons, laughter, and love that will continue to live in the hearts of everyone who knew him.

Booker leaves to cherish his precious memories, his wife, Janice Elaine Young, and his stepmother, Claudia Young.

Sisters: Jasminum Greenwood; Pandora (Ben) Osler; Tonia (Doug) Blue; and Alicea (Byron) Shells.

Children: Dionne Keys; Kenya T. Young Owens (Harrison), whose mother is Marie Young; and Booker T. Young III (Jessica), whose mother is Izola Haynes.

Grandchildren: Dominique (Clyde) Johnson, Taneah (Joe) Donohoe, TeArah (Cedrick) Stubblefield, Emoni Owens, Harrison Owens IV, Esias Murry, Amira Keys, Booker T. Young IV, Brooke Young, Josiah Young, and Jaycee Young.

Great-Grandchildren: Kyrie Thomas Johnson, Taiyang Jin Low, Kennedi Ann Johnson, Carsyn Lael Stubblefield, Quinci Jewell Donohoe, and Cedrick LaMond Stubblefield III.

He also leaves to cherish his memory four bonus daughters, ShaConte Blackmon, Eron Kelley, LaShawn Moody and LeIda Moody, ten bonus grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, dear friends, fellow veterans, and church family.

Booker was preceded in death by his parents, Laurene Thomas Young and Booker T. Young Sr., his bonus son Sherdal Kelley, and Brother Kenneth Charles Young.