Robert "Bert" Ray Young

On the morning of March 18, 2014, Robert "Bert" Ray Young passed away peacefully at his home of natural causes. Bert was 60 years old. He was born to the late Jimmy and Elizabeth Young on November 11, 1953, in Andover, VA. Bert graduated from Powell Valley High School in Big Stone Gap, VA. He married the late Opal Jones and they lived together in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, where his daughter Gypsy was born. In 1977, the family relocated to Houston, TX, where Bert held various day labor jobs until he worked for Western Electric (later to become AT&T). He was a well-known hunting guide of upland waterfowl for Hunter's Prairie Guide Service in Katy, TX for 15 years. He established Brookshire Kennels when he moved to Brookshire to open his own dog training business. After his marriage to Opal ended in divorce, Bert met Sandra Sears through their common passion of writing and performing music. Bert and Sandy were married and made their home in Brookshire, TX. Bert was taught to play the piano at the age of four by his grandmother in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. He played at his family's church from age seven until age seventeen. He became drum major for Powell Valley High School during his junior year and maintained an interest for many instruments, including drums, guitar, keyboards, trumpet, and others his entire life. He was a thespian, playing the lead part as well as taking an active role in the art of set decoration in several shows of Trail of the Lonesome Pine, a long-time famous play that still runs in Big Stone Gap today. He formed his first rock band in his late teens called "The Final Judgment", once playing as the opening act for such notables as Billy Preston and Conway Twitty. Bert followed his passion for singing, songwriting, and entertaining others through music until the day of his passing, playing in multiple bands and a duo act with his wife Sandy and longtime friends around the Houston area. During this time he wrote many songs, sometimes collaborating with his daughter Gypsy on the lyrics. His love of the outdoors was fostered by growing up in the Appalachian Mountains. He enjoyed playing softball as a youngster and continued to enjoy the sport well into his adult years. His love of fishing was so strong that he would often get into trouble for leaving school early or attempting to duck out of chores to get down to the river and catch some fish. Bert was an Eagle Scout and a member of Ducks Unlimited, by whom he was recognized for his many wildlife conservation efforts. At the time of his passing, Bert was the General Manager of the Rio Brazos Hunting Preserve in Simonton, TX, where he mentored many young outdoor enthusiasts. Rio Brazos'' involvement in sporting clays started out as a very small business that grew to become one of the most well-known gun ranges in the nation under Bert''s seventeen year tenure there. In addition to his wife, Sandy, Bert is survived by his daughter, Gypsy Young and fiancé Don Krigsvold of Moose Creek, AK; brothers James and Alan Young of Big Stone Gap, VA; Stepdaughters Donna Sawyer of Lake Jackson, TX and Judy Morgan and husband Fred of Eaton, NY; Grandchildren Genna Mensik of Alaska, Trae Turner of San Antonio, TX and Alysa Turner of Oceanside, CA along with a wealth of loving friends and extended family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Robert Young Memorial Fund at Amegy Bank, Acct # 54397134. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 2:00pm at the Simonton Community Church in Simonton, TX with a reception immediately following in The Great Room at the church.