Robert D. Young

Robert D. Bob Young Robert D. Bob Young, age 81, passed away Friday, January 21, 2011. Born in Anniston, Alabama of parents David Wiley and Mary Lucille Young, he was the fourth child of seven: Louis, Marjorie, Glenn, (Bob), Barbara, Rita, and Edna. The first three have passed away; Barbara Martin lives in Atlanta, Georgia, Rita Pruett lives in Anniston, Alabama, and Edna Collins lives in Mission Hills, California. Surviving Bob are his wife, Helen Knowles Young, daughters Debra Jean Stephens of Lake Wales, Florida, Teresa Joan Gallimore (Butch) of Sebring, Florida, son, Robert D. Young, Jr. of Sebring, Florida, and three granddaughters, two grandsons, and three great grandsons. After graduating Anniston High School in 1949, Bob joined the United States Air Force where he served in Alaska during the Korean War, Tampa and Avon Park where he met and married his wife. After his four year tour was finished, he worked for Florida Power for nine years and in 1961 he was appointed Postmaster of Avon Park by President John F. Kennedy. He served as Postmaster for twenty six years, the longest term ever served by any Avon Park Postmaster. He was President of the Florida Postmasters Association and lobbied in Washington, D.C. Bob and Helen were very active in the community and with the assistance of Hue E. Nunnallee, Attorney at Law, whom Helen worked with as a legal secretary, they developed a 33 acre subdivision named Lotela Terrace which is located between the high school and Bombing Range Road. Bob got his Real Estate License and they built two houses and sold lots for many years. Also, Bob was very interested in golf and he gave golf lessons at the old Avon Lakes Country Club which is now River Greens Golf Club. Bob was also a member of Pinecrest Lakes Golf Club. He owned golf shops in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Bradenton and Avon Park with managers and clerks to run them. He is a lifetime member of the Elks Club in Sebring, a member of the Moose Club, VFW, American Legion and the First United Methodist Church. Bob and Helen owned a corporation, Space Mart, Inc. which rents space to small businesses usually just getting started. Since 1975, many of these businesses such as Crystal Nails, Alligator Packing and the Moose Club have grown larger and successful and moved to other locations. This is an ongoing effort to assist Avon Park in acquiring new business. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 3:00 PM at the Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hope Hospice, 4840 Sun N Lake Boulevard, Sebring, FL 33872. Cremation Arrangements by Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home Avon Park, Florida