Thomas Melville Young

Thomas Melville Young, 95, of La Porte, died Dec. 22, 2007. He was born July 11, 1912, to Melville Ray Young and Edith Amanda Hansen Young in their home in La Porte. He lived in La Porte until he sold his farm and home and moved to Shamrock Manor in Fort Collins two and half years ago. He passed away peacefully in his sleep while residing there under their loving care. Melville attended elementary, junior high and high school at the Cache La Poudre schools in La Porte and graduated in 1930. Upon his graduation, he continued his education by earning a bachelor of science degree in Horticulture from Colorado A&M in 1934. While there, he played football and was a letter winner from 1930 to 1933 under the guidance of Coach Harry Hughes. As the starting center on the offensive line, he was awarded the game ball for the 7-0 win in 1933 over the University of Wyoming. Melville enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Knox and Ft. Campbell. He was a member of the 20th Armored Tank Battalion, Company C, Liberator during WW II and operated a tank while overseas. His army buddy, Ellsworth Hayes, introduced him to his sister Virginia. After his discharge, Melville and Virginia Ethel Hayes were married on Nov. 26, 1950, in Denver. Melville and his father, Ray, operated a truck farm in LaPorte and raised fruit, vegetables and other farm commodities, which were sold through their produce store and also in supermarkets in Fort Collins and Wyoming. During the winter, he purchased furs and pelt hides during the various hunting seasons. They were preserved and sold to furriers at a later time. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and had several of his trophy animals mounted and displayed in his home and the store. He adored his dog, Max, who was his constant companion later in life. He was preceded in death by Virginia, his wife of 30 years; his parents, Ray and Edith Young; three sisters, Marie Victor Delehoy, Alice Eugene McCoy and Florence Donald Kaiser. He is survived by one sister, Rachel Ira Stegner of Fort Collins and 17 nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Shamrock Manor for their loving care during Melville's stay at their home. We would also like to express our gratitude to Hospice of Larimer County for their support and guidance during this difficult time. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the La Porte Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Larimer County in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.