Alvin Earl Young

Alvin Earl Young, a lifelong resident of the Bennett CO farming community, went peacefully to sleep in Jesus on December 16, 2024, at the age of 100 years and two months. 

Alvin was born in a dug-out house on the family farm on October 17, 1924. The farm was located about 10 miles south of Bennett. His parents were Earl and Viola (Bob) Young. He was the oldest of six children: Don, Arnold, Audry, Betty Lou and Vern - all who preceded him in death.

At the age of 6, he started school at Westside School about ½ mile from their home. Classmates included cousin Doris Young Nordloh and future wife, Mary Bernice Messerly. His third-grade teacher was his Aunt Clara. He and his Aunt Clara walked to school every day and were never late. He won an award that year for Perfect Attendance.

Some of his fondest memories of growing up included attending Camp meeting each summer at Campion Academy and gathering with aunts, uncles and cousins. He also shared memories of rabbit and deer hunting with neighbors and relatives.

He attended Westside School through 8th grade, then he transferred to Campion Academy. He attended Campion for his freshman and sophomore years. He returned home after his sophomore year. At home he worked closely with his father and grandfather farming and repairing cars, trucks and tractors – just about anything with a motor. He was very proud of overhauling his first car engine by himself at the age of 16.

Alvin was an Army veteran, having been drafted towards the end of WWII. During his time in the Army, he married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Bernice Messerly. After his discharge from the Army, Alvin and Bernice settled on a farm about five miles south of Bennett and Alvin lived on that farm until his death. Two daughters were born to this union – Connie and Dana. 

In 1948, he graduated from flight school and started a crop-dusting business with his father called Young’s Aerial Sprayers. He farmed in the spring and summer, as well as crop-dusted most of the fields in a 20-mile radius from his farm. He also took courses in how to repair televisions, and spent the winter months over-hauling cars and repairing TVs to supplement the farm income. He also worked at the Sinclair Filling Station in Bennett.

Alvin could fix most anything, from cars to airplanes to tractors to TV’s. His grandchildren were all very impressed that their 90+ year old grandfather was adept at using his iPhone and he found it a great way to stay in touch with his five grandsons, his one granddaughter, his six great grandsons and two great granddaughters.

He and Bernice built a Cap home in the 1970’s, doing most of the work themselves. He and Bernice also built a large airplane hangar that can still be seen from miles away. His crop-dusting brought him into contact with many of the farmers in the Bennett and Strasburg community. Bernice, Connie and Dana were usually his flagmen and helped with the farming until the daughters married and moved away. 

In 1990, Bernice was diagnosed with cancer and passed away the day after Thanksgiving in 1990 after 46 years of marriage. Even after Bernice’s death, he drove the 750 miles down Highway 287 to Texas for his grandkid’s graduations and weddings.

Alvin remarried in 1994 to Elizabeth Unger and they settled on Alvin’s farm and 80 acres. They were happily married for 31 years before his passing. Betty was a great comfort to him in his later years.

He was known as “Al” to many of his friends and in his later years, he always seemed to “know a guy” who could help him with whatever project he was working on. And he always seemed to have a project to work on. He had an old blue folding chair that he would stand on to work on engines, until the family determined it unsafe and purchased a step stool for use instead. Then he would just use the folding chair to rest on when he got tired. In the last couple of years, you could see him zipping around the yard in a golf cart with his tool chest, blue chair and step stool in the back.

In October, Alvin celebrated his 100th birthday with wife Betty and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and other family members. It was a milestone and tribute to a long, well-lived life. His health had been failing for about a year, but he was determined to make 100.

Upon his death, Alvin was the longest living member of Life Source Adventist Fellowship, formerly Denver Central Church. While he was in good health, he and Betty made the hour and a half long trip to church every week. He was a Deacon for years and loved his Sabbath School class and its members.

Alvin is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Betty); daughters and sons-in-law, Connie and Bill Perryman, Dana and Randy Gilliam; grandchildren, Scott and Angie Perryman, Brett Perryman, Ethan and Katie Gilliam, Justin Gilliam, Tiffany Ludwig, Damon and Danae Gilliam; great-grandsons Blake, Hunter and Mason Perryman, Bryce Gilliam, Bronson Ludwig, and Sora Deverill; great- granddaughters Aubrey and Peyton Gilliam; great-great grandson Noah Perryman and great-great granddaughter Isla Perryman; numerous nieces, nephews as well as friends and neighbors.

After 100 years of productive living, you deserve to rest in peace Alvin.

Family and friends are invited to attend his memorial service on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Strasburg Presbyterian Church, 56635 Iowa Ave., Strasburg CO.