Levi Donald “Donnie” Young went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, in Punta Gorda, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Madeline (Naylor) Young Hooks; his sister, Connie Yvonne Young; and a brother, Roy Houston Young. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Chyleen Ann Lynch; his children, Donald Chad (Kelly) Young and Tabitha (Robert) Marcellino; grandchildren, Levi, Dawson, William Slocum and Anabelle Young, Timothy and Melody Hunter, and former son-in-law, Timothy Hunter Jr.; his sisters, Kay (Jerry) Baldwin and Sharon Bennett; his brother, Jack (Charlotte) Young and a cousin, Bob Deal; sisters-in-law, Susie Young and Barbara Lynch; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Donnie was born and raised in the mountains of Kanawha County. He grew up in Young’s Bottom, Clendenin, W.Va. In ninth grade, his mother allowed him to start playing football. He became a standout student athlete at Clendenin High School and was awarded a football scholarship to West Virginia University.
At West Virginia he was selected to be on the 1964 All-Southern Conference First Team. A member of Phi Delta Kappa, Donnie was awarded the Ira E. Rodger Memorial Trophy for his high leadership and academic qualities as well as football performance, and the Louis D. Meisel Award for highest GPA. He was a three time letterman. He graduated in 1965 with a degree in physical education and biology. He later went on to earn his master’s degree in Physical Education and Safety in 1966.
After starting his career as head football coach at Salem College, West Virginia (1969 West Virginia Coach of the Year, 2017 Salem Sports Hall of Fame), he returned to West Virginia University, where he stayed for 40 years. He worked in supporting roles for the football program as a coach and administrator under esteemed football coaches Bobby Bowden, Frank Cignetti, Rich Rodriquez, Bill Stewart Dana Holgerson and, most notably, Don Nehlen. He had a special relationship with Coach Nehlen, working for him as a recruiting coordinator and outside linebacker coach. He has been recognized for his contribution to WVU football with numerous awards, including the Proficiency Award (1988), President’s Award (2011), and West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame (2016).
Most importantly, though, Donnie was a loving, godly father and husband. He always said he wanted to show his faith by the way he treated others. He trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord while working at Salem College and was baptized at Salem Baptist Church. While in Florida he attended Deep Creek Community Church, and in Morgantown he worshiped at Greater Love Ministries (Pastor Junius Lewis). If you would like to donate in the memory of Donnie, please donate to the WVU Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
A small family service was held in Punta Gorda, Fla., with a memorial service planned in the future in Morgantown.
