Buddy Young

GOD HAD A PLAN! Buddy Dale Young was born in a vacant house in Drumright, Oklahoma to an unwed 14 year-old girl on July 17, 1937. His young mother later married and had another baby boy and went to work as a waitress to support her family. Her husband mistreated Buddy and one day after work, she found Buddy locked outside in an outdoor toilet almost frozen to death. GOD HAD A PLAN! So, his mother, Florence, decided to keep her little 4 year-old son safe, by giving him to a good friend, Truman Young, and his wife, Virginia. His adoptive mom had very real mental issues, but GOD HAD A PLAN! The family was isolated from other family members and most other people. Buddy’s Aunt Gay loved him and finally managed to take him to church ONE Sunday. Buddy was in second grade and he loved it. He asked his Sunday-school teacher, the sheriff of Lamar County, for a Bible. The sheriff gave Buddy a little New Testament, which he treasured. He read his precious Bible at night, behind his curtained partition, in the corner of the room. GOD HAD A PLAN! Buddy rode his bike to Church when he was a little older. At age 17, he encouraged his mother to accept Christ and they were both baptized. After high school, he finished his associate’s degree at Paris Junior College and then moved to Waco to finish his 4-year degree. GOD HAD A PLAN! Shortly after he moved to Waco in 1958, Buddy’s mom and dad were drinking and fighting. His mom shot his dad, 5 times (5 entrance/3 exit wounds). Virginia called the police. As, they were loading Truman in the ambulance, she shot herself in the head. Truman insisted they take him off the only gurney (Yes, he was still conscious!) and take Virginia to the hospital. That is where she died. GOD STILL HAD A PLAN! Things can happen in life that are difficult or even tragic, but with God’s help we can overcome. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Buddy realized he was called by God to be a pastor. That little boy who pedaled his bike through the streets of Paris, Texas, so he could hear the WORD OF GOD became “Buddy, the Preacher Man” and continued to cherish the WORD OF GOD and go where God called. Buddy was called as a bi-vocational pastor. He pastored at Shiloh Baptist Church in Hill County, Fairview Baptist Church in Valley Mills, Park Memorial Baptist Church in Waco, Community Baptist Church in Speegleville, Grace Temple Baptist Church in Waco as Minister of Education, and Patton Baptist Church in Valley Mills. Buddy was a singing man also. So, of course, he sang songs to worship the Lord he loved so much. Buddy enjoyed studying the Bible and sharing the gospel. Buddy made time for his family through coaching football and baseball and encouraging and attending their activities including softball, scouting, choir concerts and high school theater productions. He spent countless hours playing with his grandchildren and teaching them about Jesus as well. While at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, March 18, 2021, Buddy saw the glory of God as Jesus welcomed him into heaven. His journey is just beginning though because GOD HAS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR EACH OF US!
Buddy Dale Young is preceded in death by his parents and daughter Beverley Lorraine Potter. He is survived by his wife, Claudine Young of 24 years; nine children, and eleven grandchildren: Son, Robert Mark Young and wife, Sherry, of Axtel; two grandsons: Wesley Young and wife, Nicole, and Tony Young and wife, Brenda. Daughter, Cheryl Denise Haines of Woodway; two granddaughters: Amanda Buckner and husband, Chad, and Carla Russell and husband, Adrian. Daughter, Catherine Michelle Peacock and husband, Steve, of Whitney; two grandchildren: Sadie Peacock and Jacob Peacock and wife, Kaylea, of Abilene. Son, Christopher Pack Young and wife, Karine, of Panama City Beach; granddaughter: Kinsley. Son, Patrick Cleamon Potter and wife, Lou Ann, of Cleburne; two granddaughters: Stephenie Saville and husband, Nolan, and Heather McDonald and husband, Kevin. Daughter, Denice Warenskjold and husband, Tony, of Cleburne. Daughter, Anne Foster of Cleburne; grandson: Brandon Martin and wife, Bethany. Daughter, Devohn Pugh and husband, Jonathan, of Cleburne; granddaughter: Analyce. Buddy is also survived by 13 great grandchildren: Jack, Ava, Evan, Tyler, Dawson, Hoyt, Forrest, Emily-Rea, Michael, Braiden Joe, Savannah, Daniel, and Hailey.