Clifton Dalhart Young, Jr. of Newport News left this earth on March 19, 2021 after a protracted battle with an autoimmune disease.

He was born December 9, 1951 in Hampton.  Called “C.D.” by all who knew him, he lived on the peninsula his entire life.  His early childhood was spent in the Ferguson Park development in Newport News where he enjoyed a childhood of baseball, playing on cannons by the War Museum, and running amok in the neighborhood with people who would become his lifelong friends. 

He graduated from Warwick High School in 1970.  Nurturing an interest in music that would become a longstanding hobby, he formed a high school garage band called Tears From A Glass Eye with several of his friends and sang in the WHS A cappella choir.  It was in this choir that he met the love of his life, Kathy, in 12^th grade.

C.D. entered an adventurous stage of his life when he attended Christopher Newport College.  He joined the Chi Psi Omega fraternity which had the original “animal house.”  During the streaking fad of the ‘70s, he infamously rode his bike naked across the CNC campus, and threw many memorable parties with his brothers.  He esteemed these brothers to be part of his extended family.  And, thankfully, the brothers and their families reunited often and remained close until C.D.’s passing.      

C.D. established what was to be a long, successful career with Noland Company after his college years.  He started as a warehouse worker and ended up a branch manager thirty years later.    Another happy, successful venture was established when C.D. and Kathy wed in 1975.  This marriage produced two great children whom C.D. loved unequivocally and unconditionally.  And upon these children, he instilled a love for music and the importance of self-discipline and hard work.    

He most recently made his career with MSC Industrial Supply, where he earned respect and admiration from his co-workers and clients. 

He was an exemplary, knowledgeable salesman who took his career seriously.  Though he worked hard, he likewise played hard.  He took his leisure time seriously and would wantonly jaunt with his beloved Kathy down to N.C.’s Outer Banks when the wind was right and the sun was bright.  He could be found by the oceanside often.  He also enjoyed tending to his koi pond and bird watching.  He and Kathy worked hard to transform their back yard into a veritable bird sanctuary.  Making crafts occupied a lot of his later years as well.  He could creatively make images from bottle caps and had a knack for making decorative chairs out of woven neck ties and gifting them to friends.  He also enjoyed telling edgy jokes and indulging in adult leisure beverages.

He is survived by his devoted wife Kathy; son Evan of Newport News; daughter Kori and son-in-law Jordan Liles of Baltimore; brother Malcolm of Newport News; and many cherished extended family members.  He was preceded in death by his father Clifton D. Young, Sr. and mother Nellie Adkins Young.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24 at Peninsula Funeral Home.  A memorial service at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 25.  Due to Covid strictures, the service will have a maximum occupancy of 70 people.    

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association.  And if you really want to exude C.D.’s spirit, please be sure to wear a colorful pocket square and tell a memorable joke today.