Jan Franklin Young, 73, a resident of the Shelter Bay community in La Conner, passed away at his home on March 22, 2019.
Jan was born on January 2, 1946 in Great Falls, Montana, the son of Jess & Louise (Quinlan) Young. He was raised and attended school in Great Falls, graduating from Great Falls High School with the class of 1964. He joined the Naval Reserves in 1963. He then attended Montana State University until he was called to active duty with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, serving one year in Vietnam and one year on a ship in Long Beach, CA.
On April 6, 1966 he was united in marriage to Paula Reeves in Great Falls and after his return from deployment, they lived in multiple areas of the US including California, Montana, Nebraska, and Washington, settling first in La Conner, then eventually moving to the Day Creek area of Sedro-Woolley for 22 years on their beautiful family farm before returning to La Conner in 2004.
Jan worked as a sales consultant for many years in the oil industry and most recently worked in sales for several manufacturing businesses in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Canada.
Jan was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman and was a founding member of A.S.O.F.T. He loved gardening and caring for the birds and animals around his home. Jan’s life was marked by love for others. He never met a person who didn’t soon become a beloved friend. He treasured his friendships with both those he had known for years, as well as newcomers to his life. He was so proud of his family and went to every extreme to take care of them in every way.
Jan is survived by his wife, Paula; son, Justin Young and his wife, Jennifer; daughter, Stacy Thompsen and her husband Todd; 5 grandchildren, Jacob Young and Emily, Mason, Tanner and Katie Thompsen all of Skagit Valley, Washington; sister, Diane Felstead of Kalispell, MT; brother, Phil Young of Honolulu, HI and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Walt & Robert Young and brother-in-law, Gary Felstead.
A Life Celebration will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Jan and sign the online guest register.
Paula and family…I am soooo sorry to hear of Jan’s passing. Thinking of you all, I know just what you are going thru!!
It will be 5 years since Darwin has passed and there is not a day goes by that I don’t think of him.
Jan was a wonderful man!!
Love you and take care. Donna
My brother Jan……. there aren’t enough words to say how much he meant to all of us or how much he will be missed. My prayers are with Paula, Stacy, Justin and their families. I am so thankful they live close to each other and pray that the Lord will keep them strong and give them peace though this devastating loss.
Jan and l were fifteen months apart. We grew up more like twins, the two oldest of five in a chaotic home. We together tried to help out at home and be problem solvers even as kids, and l feel like l have lost a chunk of my heart. As young kids, we would get up before anyone else and make cookies. I sat on the counter reading the recipe and Jan did the mixing. That’s how we functioned.
His family lived in Washington and mine stayed in Montana. Over the years, he would drop in unannounced about once or twice a year. One day, my husband Gary and I were outside at our home on Lower River Road and Gary had a big smile on his face. “Look at that knucklehead!”, he said. Jan had just pulled into our driveway. Gary loved Jan and was always so happy to see him. I will miss those drop in visits and daily “checking in” phone calls more than l can say.
He was there when Walt, Rob or Phil asked for advice. He was always there for all of us. No way to replace that in our lives.
I love you, Jan. I love you Paula, Stacy and Justin and am so sorry for your loss. We will all have to figure out how to survive without Jan, the most positive, upbeat, funny guy l have ever known. I last talked to Jan the day he died and last saw Jan and Paula in October 2018. Forever thankful for the gift of him as my older brother.



So sorry to learn of Jan’s passing – prayers and condolences to Paula and family.
Jan was a wonderful man with a big heart. He always had a genuine smile, a great laugh, and told fabulous stories about his life.