James E. Young Sr., 83

James "Jim" Edward Young Sr., 83, a lifetime resident of Franklin, passed from this life peacefully at his home on Nov. 22, 2024, after a battle with cancer.

Jim loved sports and was a passionate supporter of the Patriots and Celtics. As a baseball fan, his unwavering loyalty since a young boy, belonged to the Tigers, for which he was a die-hard fan through thick and thin.

He joined the U.S. Marine Corps after high school and was medically discharged. He then worked as a skilled welder and pipefitter and ended his career as a certified welding inspector. He retired from United Association Local 131 Plumbers and Steamfitters in 2006 after 39 years of service.

Jim is a born-again Christian, receiving Jesus Christ as his Savior on Oct. 7, 1985, at the age of 44. He had a deep love for people and understood the importance of sharing the truth of the Gospel. Both he and his wife, Emma, were instrumental in leading their children to the knowledge of God’s grace and salvation through Christ. He loved spending time with all of his children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by many. His love for his family was profound, and it was returned to him tenfold. He was a member of Calvary Independent Baptist Church for almost 40 years.

Jim was born in Franklin on June 10, 1941, the son of the late Francis Young and Veronica (St. Louis) Young.

He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Emma, his parents, his sister Gloria Allen and brother John Young.

He leaves his daughters, Brenda Clark of Tucson, Arizona, Alaine Shane of Falls Church, Virginia, and Shirley Wentzel of Manheim, Pennsylvania; his sons, Richard Burns of Northfield, Emil LaRoche of Monterey, Tennessee, and James E. Young Jr. of Northfield; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and his sister, Jane Read of Franklin.

A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Calvary Independent Baptist Church, 128 School St., Tilton, followed by a graveside service at 1 p.m. at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery at 110 Daniel Webster Hwy in Boscawen.

Donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Granite VNA Hospice Provider via their website GraniteVNA.org.

The Smart Memorial Home in Tilton is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information, visit smartmemorialhome.com.