Paul R. Young, Sr. was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 17, 1921, the son of Robert A. and Lena Corwin Young. He grew up with his brothers Robert, George, and Charles in Camp Washington and Dunlap. He attended Colerain High School and was a member of the school’s first football team. In 1942 he graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science before heading overseas during World War II. After the war, he was granted special permission by his general and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum to study sculpture under Bernard Tussaud in London. He also studied special sculpturing at the Cincinnati Art Academy, 1948-1951, and attended Southern Ohio Business College, 1952-1954.
Paul served as a Lieutenant with the US Army during WWII in England, Belgium, Germany, France, and Czechoslovakia. He was a medic in the Battle of the Bulge and in 1945 received the rare and extraordinary honor of a Battlefield Commission while serving in Germany. He was first in a small group of soldiers at the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp and among the first cars to free occupied Paris. He was decorated with the WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Meritorious Service Unit Award, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (EAME Ribbon), two Silver Stars, three Bronze Service Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal.
On May 25, 1946, Paul married his high school sweetheart, Marian Mack. They have two devoted children, Paul R. (Shirlene) Young, Jr. and Beverly Young; six loving grandchildren, Paul (Nadine) Young III, Kelli (Brian) Morton, Jeremy (Chrissy) Warden, Sarah Young, Adam (Kelly) Young and Jacob Young; twelve adoring great-grandchildren, Courtney, Cassidy and Paul IV, Kaeli, Brennan and Hunter, Tyler, Aidan, Devin and Makenna , Auston and Triston.
He opened Paul R. Young Funeral Home in Mt. Healthy in 1948. He started and grew the business with the help of his wife, Marian, and career-long assistant, Nola Apro. He later added funeral homes in Hamilton and Oxford and served as the President and Owner until his passing. He provided ambulance services in the Mt. Healthy area and burial services for many residents of Mt. Healthy Christian Home. He was the creator of the Nativity scenes that are displayed each Christmas at Paul R. Young Funeral Homes in Mt. Healthy and Hamilton, and Charles C. Young Funeral Home in Ross. The Nativity has been known throughout the Tri-State area as a Christmas tradition since 1948 and includes live donkeys, sheep, and goats, and life-size wax figures sculpted by Paul. The Christmas display was an expression of devotion to his Lord and Savior, the Christ Jesus, and was a gift of love to his community.
He had a servant’s heart and was always actively involved in the community and within various organizations. Special posts, affiliations and memberships include: Lt. Governor of Buckeye Boys State in 1938; Commander of Wesley Werner American Legion Post #513; President of the Cincinnati Funeral Directors Association, 1949, and continued member; member of Ohio Funeral Directors Association; member of National Funeral Directors Association; Education Director Heritage United Methodist Church, 1949, and continued member; charter member of Colerain Kiwanis Club; member of Masonic Lodge #120 F & AM; first president of Mt. Healthy High School PTA, 1952; past patron of Mt. Healthy chapter #365 OES; member of Cincinnati Scottish Rite; member of Cincinnati Syrian Shrine, Vice-President of Mt. Health Board of Education, 1964-1967; member of Mt. Healthy Historical Society; designer of “Christmas in Mt. Healthy” annual celebration; Trustee/Director Christian Benevolence Association Foundation Board for the Aging, 1998-2012. Other outstanding accomplishments include: parade chairman for Wesley Werner American Legion Post #513 for several years; professor of sculpturing at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and head of the Restorative Art Department; instructor of Psychology of Grief at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science; received recognition as member of the first football team at Colerain High School, 1985, and inducted into the Hall of Fame at the high school, 1986; inducted into the CBA Senior Adult Hall of Fame, 2005. Other awards, decorations, and citations include: Kentucky Colonel; Certificate of Service, Mt. Healthy Board of Education, 1968; Beautification Award, Greater Cincinnati Beautification Committee, 1971; 62 years of dedication to the Wesley Werner Post 513.
Paul R. Young, Sr. was a beacon in his community and an everyday hero to his family. He will be missed beyond measure, though we are comforted that his joy is now complete. “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phillipians 1:21).
Funeral Service will be at the Paul R. Young Funeral Home 7345 Hamilton Ave., Mt. Healthy on Friday at 11 AM; Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 4-8 PM; In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Mt. Healthy United Methodist Church, Christian Benevolent Association or Wounded Warrior Project.