Dennis And Deaun Young

Dennis James Young, 76, and Belinda DeAun (Stearman) Young, 73, died together on March 22nd, 2023 on a road trip across west Texas shortly after leaving the Carlsbad Caverns National Park. They had spent their retiree days traveling the country to see the natural beauty in the national parks and visiting the large group of friends and family they had cultivated in their long life together.

Denny was born Dec 14th, 1946, in Kansas City, MO. He was part of the first graduating class of Raytown South High School before joining the Navy and serving as an Interior Communications (IC) Petty Officer on the USS Oriskany (CV-34) aircraft carrier. DeAun was born May 19th, 1949, in Shawnee, OK. She graduated from Northeast High School in Oklahoma City in 1967.

They met at Graceland College and married on Aug 14th, 1971 before moving to Rolla, MO. Denny studied at the University of Missouri - Rolla and DeAun began her teaching career at Fort Leonard Wood. They were both active houseparents in the Liahona House where they first demonstrated the mentorship to young adults that would be an enduring value throughout their lives.

They moved to Buckner, MO where Dennis began his career as a computer systems analyst and eventually retired from Kansas City Southern Railroad. He was proud of the evolution of computing and kept in his desk drawer the various types of computers he worked with over the years, from punch cards to laserdiscs to server storage. He was considered to be a true co-worker’s friend to his colleagues because he had an infectious, calming personality, which once won him a hot air balloon ride from winning an office joke contest.

DeAun was a lifelong educator. Both before and after raising her five sons, she was an elementary teacher, a substitute teacher and then a special education teacher with a specialty in reading, earning her Masters in Special Education from the University of Central Missouri. With five sons in the Fort Osage school district, she was a fixture at activities and knew her sons’ classmates as well as all of the educators working in the building. It was common to hear the phrase “Oh, you are one of DeAun’s sons”. She retired from Welborn Elementary from the Kansas City Kansas school district.

They were extremely involved in their community and proudly wore many hats. Even in their retirement, they remained active in the various community groups and regularly made time to visit friends and family all over the country. Their sense of adventure powered 51 years of marriage together as they explored national parks, beginning with hiking Mt. Rainier as newlyweds in 1972.

Together they were leaders of Cub Scout Pack 802, camp counselors at Camp MOJA, and planned last year’s USS Oriskany Alumni Reunion. Dennis sang in the Jacomo Chorale and Handel's Messiah Choir, served as an Elder in the Community of Christ and as Pastor of the Osage Hills Congregation, was the longtime Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 802, and was the Treasurer of the Buckner Post of the VFW. DeAun was a Jackson County Democratic Party committeewoman, a docent at the Truman Presidential Library, taught numerous Red Cross CPR & Lifeguard courses, was a soccer referee, and previously served as the Buckner Youth Club Pool President and Manager.

They were supportive of each other’s passions and were regular participants in one another’s activities. They were modest about the impact they had on the numerous lives they touched, but there was no limit to the pride they had for the impact their sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren have made. Everyone they talked to would hear the stories of their family members. Their pride is best exemplified by the inspiration from Psalm 127 for Dad’s Tribe of Mic-O-Say name ‘Mighty Arrows’. “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”

They are survived by their five sons, all Eagle Scouts - Sam (Tara), Luke (Laura), Levi, Benjamin (Rachelle Netzer), and Peter (Mindi) and their ten grandchildren: Trinity, Caleb, Sienna, Eli, Brynn, Sloane, Eden, Bishop, Killian and Amara. Denny is also survived by his sister Jeanne Earnest. DeAun is also survived by her sister Judy Graham and brothers Mike Stearman and Jerry Stearman. Their legacy of kindness and service will live on through the lives they touched and the lives of their children and grandchildren.

Denny is preceded in death by his parents Walter James Young and Marie Young Shackelford, and his sister Julie Shackelford. DeAun is preceded in death by her parents Billy Dean Stearman and Norma Jean Stearman.

Dennis and DeAun never met a stranger; from the post office clerk to the hotel clerk, they carried on conversations and connected with everyone they met. With so many lives touched by their lifetime of service, we encourage you to leave a note with your memory of Mom and Dad.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 8, 2023 at the Village Heights Community of Christ, 1009 N. Fairview Dr., Independence, MO. The family will greet friends from 4p.m., Friday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Camp MOJA at http://campmoja.org or donate to a Cub Scout Pack or Boy Scout Troop of your choice. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)