Thomas Young Obituary

Granddaddy it has almost been a month since you went home to heaven. It seems like it has been forever. I miss you very much. Mom misses making her phone calls to you on wednesday and sunday nights. She calls me instead. She really misses hearing your voice and talking to you about either racing, football or baseball. She kept up with that so when she called you she could brag about her favorite player or driver.
On April 3, 2011 we came to Summerville hospital to visit with you and I am so glad we did. That was the last time we saw you alive. If I had known that you were going to leave so soon I would have went "across the street" to get that bottle that you wanted. I would have let you drink all you wanted. The only way to get through this is to think of the good times we were able to have with you. The time you took the family to see the christmas lights at James Island in your van was a great memory in itself. I am not sure how many holes you had in your floor board from everyone putting on brakes for you. Mom was riding in the floor but you could not understand why. I think it was because you may have went down a median in order to get around traffic. You told her to "hold on darlin" its gonna be ok. If that van could talk it would have lots of stories to tell. I hope Tony keeps the memories going. Granddaddy we all miss you and love you very much.
I love you lots.
Your oldest granddaughter Lori

I was born when Tom was eighteen years old so to say I was a surprize to all the family, my beloved sister "TOO TOO", fourteen years old and my brother Jimmy, 11 years old is an understatement. My parents were in thier forties but I never thought of them as being old. Tom was already away from home when I was born but I remember him coming home and always bring someone with him. He always called me on by birthday and played a record (I would love to know what happened to it) and it was Titled "Take Her Back and Exchange her for a Boy" I really don't think he meant it but I actually looked forward each year to hearing the record. When he arrived home there was always like having a party. Some of his yankee Navy friends had never seen a cow so Tom showed them how not only to milk the cow but to churn the milk to butter. He had a good life and up until the past six or seven years did pretty much what he wanted to. Going to the assisted home was not his "cup of tea" but he adjusted well. Didn't lke being around the old folks but he was adjusted well. Being close so his, what was left of them, friends could visit. He was a most fortunate person to be blessed with such a dear and caring friend as Florence Carson. He was also given love and attention by his friends Sondra and Tony. He was as much a part of Florence and her family as ours. He always said Florence reminded him so much of our Mother. She was such a good cook and loved having everyone gathered around as our Mother did. I will miss him but I know he is in a better place and having a time with our parents, my sister, and our beloved Mammy. Ann Young Hunter. his baby sister that he wanted to trade in!!!

Please accept our deepest sympathy on the passing of your loved one. Your family is in our thoughts and in our prayers. Mayor Minnie Blackwell and Hanahan City Council: Michael Sally, Kevin Cox, Dan Owens, Joel Hodges, Mike Dyson, and Jeff Chandler

Granddaddy Tom,
I'm guessing at the year but it was near 1972 or when I was about 4 years old. Like most Christmas Holiday’s we gathered at Nanny's house (Elise Young) off of Sumter Highway for Santa to come! How exciting for a 4 year old to be up close and personal to "Santa"? This was the night we exchanged gifts with family and relatives and to tell Santa what we wanted for Christmas. I remember it like it was yesterday everyone eating, playing, talking etc. until all of a sudden …”hey I think I hear Santa” coming from the rear of the room. You could hear a pin drop hoping not to miss the sound of Santa. Like magic, Santa walked through the door singing “ho,ho,ho, Merry Christmas everyone! Santa Clause was live and in person. Iwasn’t sure to hide from him or hug him but I did know that Santa looked just like I envisioned. White hair, white beard, huge belly, white gloves, black boots and in person! How exciting! My mother, father, brother and sisters were present along with all of my cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmother and…..but never my Grandfather from Charleston, Tom Young. This was the type of affair that would have appealed to him food, drinks, friends and family but for some crazy reason Grandaddy Tom never was there. At four years old, thoughts ran through my head as to why he never came but I was sure it was the trip from Charleston that was too far…but it was at his mother’s house that we gathered. Maybe it was that he was too old to travel at night, maybe it was that “Santa” just wasn’t his cup of tea or maybe it was…..who knows but the party must go on! I’ve always been the kind who paid attention to the “small stuff” and was always the kind who was very observant. I remember each child being called up to sit on “Santa’s” lap to tell him what we wanted for Christmas. I never understood this because by now he must have gotten all 23 letters mailed to him with my list attached. He must know by now because I had already seen Santa in at least 6 malls. Santa had a great memory because he never wrote anything down. Rain man I guess! Well as soon as I hopped on Santa’s lap I noticed that Santa smelled exactly like Granddaddy Tom. North Pole is a long way from Eastover, South Carolina but I guess they sold Old Spice there too. I did most of the talking but Santa said a few things to me and every now and again he said something that reminded me of Granddaddy Tom. This too was odd but hey who am I to judge and why am I even worried about it anyway? I told Santa everything I wanted for Christmas and told him to be careful on his sleigh ride back to the North Pole. He helped me down. It was that exact moment I saw him wearing a Clemson wrist watch. Not only does our Santa have good taste but he even reminds me of my Grandfather. I often wondered but never questioned after all Santa is the real deal! Those Christmas memories continue to make me smile now and I’m sure for years to come. Granddaddy Tom made me smile with memories that I will never forget! You were all things to all people! I will always be grateful! Until me meet again, keep people smiling and making memories as I am sure you will be surrounded with those who love you and with those who will always have the fondest of memories. Please don’t be overly hard to those Gamecock fans, after all, there’s always next year!
I love you!
J. Thomas Lanham, Grandson

You will be missed my TIGER friend

My sympathy and love to all of the Young family. You will always be special friends to me. Nan Yelton Bishop