Wallace Young Sr.

Wallace Reid Young, Sr., 86, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 19, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Born August 11, 1935, Wallace was uniquely educated through life experience and hard work. He graduated from Fuquay Varina High, took courses at Hardbarger Business College and later obtained his realtor’s license.

Enjoying the company and thoughts of others, he found his career calling in sales. This culminated in several decades with McCormick until his late retirement.

Wallace married his high school sweetheart, Johnie Matthews, in 1955 with whom he had two children, Belinda Young Laughlin and his namesake, Wallace Reid Young Jr. Wallace and Johnie were together 61 years and welcomed grandchildren, Matthew Laughlin and Ruth Young.

At work, church, and day to day life, Wallace had a special connection with people and formed an extraordinary number of friendships that brought him great joy and remain.

Aside from work, he remained active in the community and committees at church, school, and homeowner’s associations throughout his life. He had an eye for detail and commitment to perfection. He greatly enjoyed landscaping, maintaining a beautiful yard, and home improvement projects. He found recreation and relaxation as a golfer and fisherman. He took special pleasure in a family beach home at Emerald Isle, eventually trading to condo.

May we be inspired and encouraged in remembering Wallace. Basic values firmly held and lived by daily produced a modest man who left a great imprint on his family, friends, and community. He worked for the pleasure of a job well done. He was motivated by the hope of God’s promises. It seemed he effortlessly sacrificed his own interests for those of others. These things speak clearly for who he was.

Wallace was preceded in death by his wife, Johnie Matthews Young; mother, Thelma Inez Tyner Young; father, Sidney Burl Young; aunt, Vera Poole Young; and sister, Doris Young Brooks.

Cherishing his memory, he is survived by sister, Betty Hoy (Raleigh); daughter, Belinda Young Laughlin (Raleigh); son, Wallace Reid Young, Jr. (Cary); grandchildren, Matthew S. Laughlin (Winston-Salem) and K. Ruth Young (Raleigh); and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, October 28th from 6-7:30pm at Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington St. Raleigh NC 27603. The funeral service is scheduled for Friday, October 29th at 10am, also at Montlawn.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, either to the Patient Financial Fund or Melanoma research.