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Napa Valley Register: Jan. 2, 2022
Born to Allen and Hope Young on December 25, 1948, Jim always claimed to be his parents' favorite Christmas present. An energetic youth, Jim was known to enjoy exploring the outdoors, fishing the local creeks, and camping. Always ready to crack a joke or relive an adventure, his bedtime stories were a favorite of his kids and grandkids and mostly involved tales from his childhood mischief-making.
Jim graduated from Napa High School in 1967 and then enrolled at Napa Community College. However, he temporarily paused his education to enlist in the Army, serving as a military police officer in Sinop, Turkey during the Vietnam War. After his time in the service, he returned home and eventually earned his bachelor's degree from CSU Sacramento.
Jim married his first wife, Olga, in 1968. The marriage ended but not before the couple gave birth to Jim's first daughter, Misty. Jim met the love of his life, Ruth, while taking a photography class at Napa Community College. He often shared that she caught his attention the first week of class when she nearly ran him over in the parking lot but that he did not work up the nerve to ask her out until the last class of the semester. Jim and Ruth married in 1973 and had two additional children, David and Laura.
Throughout his life, Jim split time between being a small business owner and working in law enforcement. He was a deputy for the Napa County Sheriff's Office, owned and operated Murdock's gift shop in Napa, and Young Distributing in Susanville CA, and eventually became a Correctional Officer at CTF Soledad.
Jim retired early at the age of 53 and moved back to Napa to care for his aging parents. After their passing, he also helped Ruth care for her parents.
Jim never lost his love of the outdoors. He spent his spare time fishing, hunting, and traveling. He made annual trips to Alaska to enjoy the scenery and chase the biggest fish. He captured his favorite places in his photography and, later, they inspired his paintings.
Jim is survived by his wife, Ruth Young; children, Misty Morgan, David Young and Laura Young; son-in-law, Chris Morgan; grandchildren, Ashley Morgan, Amanda Morgan, Liana Banuelos, Jake Morgan, Bo Morgan and Amaya Morgan; sister, Judy Lambert. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Allen and Hope Young and siblings Dwayne Young and Suzanne Wright.
A memorial service will be held at 9:00 am on January 24th at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd, Dixon, CA. A celebration of life will follow at Cattlemens, 250 Dorset Dr, Dixon at 10:00 am.
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Donna Smith (Johns)
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I went to school with Jim, from kindergarten thru high school. Always had a smile on his face and a great sense of humor.
Sounded like he had a fantastic life and lived it and found all his dreams with his wonderful family. Rest in peace.
Doug Gossoo
Jim and I were great friends during those wonderful 4 years at Silverado Jr. High. He was one of those people who was always fun to be around and had us laughing much of the time. Unfortunately our paths after high school led us in different directions and we reconnected only recently, through this website, discovering we share a love of fishing. Jim will always be in my thoughts as I cast a fly on a mountain lake. Our sincere condolences go out to Jim's family and all who knew him. Gone all too soon!
Doug and Terry (Alawine) Gossoo
Ed Terribilini
So sorry to hear about Jim's passing. We didn't have a long history because I only knew him for two years at Napa High. Since then, Bonnie and I spent some time with Jim and Ruth in the last few years. Jim had a great sense of humor and was a very generous man. As we know, Jim's passion was fishing, he had many great adventures. The answer to the question, "Are there fish in Heaven?" we now know for a certainy, there are. He will be missed.
Jerry Larghi
We were saddened by Jim's passing and will remember him and the times we shared together fondly.
Our Heartfelt Sympathy and Love
Jerry & Peggy Larghi & Family
Bonnie McMillan (Terribilini)
Words alone can´t express my sorrow from the loss of a truly wonderful classmate....a kind & generous friend and dedicated husband to Ruth, dad to his 3 children, & grandpa. He was so proud of his kids & grandkids, and a friend to all.....for me, beginning at Silverado Jr. High & continuing through 2021. I'm grateful we reconnected several years ago & will remember those good times with a smile. I´ll miss seeing Jim's sunset & "Big Fish Friday" photos, as well as seeing his progress as he finished one beautiful painting after another. I'll miss his
sense of humor! It's hard to say goodbye, but I'm sure there are huge fish waiting to be caught in heaven. Bonnie
Jim Pryts
Here's a story that you won't see often. I was watching American Bandstand, some time around 1964, it has to have been. Dick Clark read the name of the winner of a 45 rpm record giveaway, and it was Jim Young, of Napa, CA! I called Jim to tell him he'd won, but nobody answered the phone. I later talked to him at school about it, and he said he had entered the contest but hadn't been contacted by the show. That's the rest of the story! RIP Jim. I hope you got your record.