YOUNG'S LIFE

Young was born in Korea in 1946 to a prosperous family that had survived Japanese and Soviet occupation, and hoped for a better future.  But their ancestral home was north of the 38th parallel, and his mother was forced to flee south, carrying Young on her back.  His older sister stayed with relatives, waiting for a return trip that war made forever impossible, though he later was joined by two younger brothers and sister as his family tried to create a new life in the south.

​

Young emigrated to America as a young man, where he met his wife Susan and had two children, Roice and David.  Young studied and earned a doctorate in Eastern Medicine, and operated an acupuncture clinic in Koreatown for nearly 25 years.  He had many clients and worked long hours, but he never made treatment decisions based on his clients' ability to pay.  He was often paid only in oranges, or whatever small tokens his clients could afford.

​

He was a loving father and doting grandparent.  He always had a smile on his face whenever his two grandchildren, Colette and Killian, were near.  And he always gave them the same smile.

​

In December 2016, he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and his prognosis was poor.  But he never lost his optimism or his will to fight.  He shared a home with his daughter and grandchildren after his diagnosis, and never once complained.  Never once said, "why me."  His conviction that he would beat cancer was unwavering, even in his final moments.  It was a battle he ultimately lost, but his strength and courage gave us many more years together than we ever thought we'd have.  And he will be dearly missed.