| Happy Birthday, Bill McGarvey,
Please send cards & notes to Bill, for his 93rd bithday on Nov 5:
Bill McGarvey
3005 Persimmon Place
Fullerton, CA, 92835-2220 |
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Today was a special meeting devoted completely to the remembrance of our long-time Rotarian friends
Jim Young and his wonderful wife,
Dotty. The room was arranged in a special configuration 90 degrees turned to the right from normal to allow the much greater capacity needed to accommodate all the guests who came to hear the many recollections offered at this event. A video montage of
Jim and Dotty pictures served as a perfect backdrop as about 30 people shared their fond thoughts about the incredible couple.
President Bill Schenk made some poignant opening remarks on how Jim and Dotty Young so impacted our lives as well as countless persons of our community and of Rotarians around the world.
This was followed by the Invocation by Marty Burbank,
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Our Father in Heaven, today we gather humbly before you to give thanks for the life of our friend, Jim Young, and for what his life has meant to all of us who loved him.
We seek encouragement to remember the blessing left for us by this dear friend, the intimacy with which he shared his joy for life, his wit and wisdom, his lessons of service and generosity, but especially his universal love for people.
In your name we pray, Amen.
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Pledge led by Frank Kawasi , and a group recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test, let by Bill Peloquin. Bill did his best to recognize some of our special guests which included several Rotary District Governors: PDG Lane Calvert, PDG Roger McGonegal PDG Rod Eide, PDG Lane Kippen, PDG Brett Gerdid, District Governor Jim and Kathy Paddock and District Governor Elect Kevin Padilla, as well as the son of Jim and Dotty, Doug Young, who represented the rest of the family. Guests also included Carol Bankhead, Bobbi Catlin, Gail Cochran, Nancy Hansen, Kaaren Hathaway, Milly Heaton, Beth Jahncke, Norma Jones, Joan Kawase, Ann Kiernan (who made sure Dan wore long pants today), Jane Mathewson, Robyn Mathy, Ann Mills, Cheryl Morenc, guest of Jim Williams, Doris Muschek, Wilma Peloquin, Gloria Radde. Representing RYPEN was Joy Carroll, Jenifer Fraga, Glynnes Pricatt, and Michael Williams.
Jim Williams, who was close friends of the honored couple suggested that comments be limited to about a minute which allowed about 30 people to share their thoughts and experiences regarding Jim and Dotty.
The sharing starting with:
Past District Governor Lane Kippen who told us that he accompanied Jim Young as he visited every club in the district, playing his famous role of Paul Harris.
Keith Mills spoke of a radio play about Paul Harris that they both performed in at Cal State Fullerton, surmising that it may have been what started Jim on performing as Paul Harris around the world at Rotary Clubs.
Diane Masseth-Jones reminded us that the YWCA honored Jim and Dotty Young as Man and Woman of the Year in 2008 and she read some lyrics from Bob Dylan’song “Forever Young”, a term she used to whisper in Jim’s year when they hugged at Rotary meetings.
Griff Duncan told us that Jim Young offered help and encouragement as Fullerton Civic Light Opera and Cal State Fullerton collaborated with performing arts efforts for the community.
Terri Grassi told us that her first visit to our Rotary Club was during a Paul Harris performance by Jim Young. Talk about a perfect start for a future club president!
Joe Arnold met Jim at Cal State Fullerton in 1973 and was the reason Joe decided to come to the school.
Millie Heaton met Jim 16 years ago and worked with him daily on fundraising projects for years and she commented that the Performing Arts Center wouldn’t exist without Jim Young’s efforts.
Kim Barlow was in awe with how Jim agreed to dress as an elf upon request for fun during a club meeting.
Jim Williams commented that Jim Young was always willing to help however needed for our club’s famous demotion nights.
Chief Wolf Knabe told of how, during disagreements at any meetings he’d encourage people to be like Jim Young.
Brett Gerdes a club president when Jim was District Governor, reminded us of how a picture in The Rotarian magazine once inadvertently labeled a picture of Jim Young as Paul Harris.
Dick Jones commented on what a wonder couple the Young’s were.
Dan Kiernan recounted how he’s meet Jim at Morningside for coffee and muffins to chat.
Joe Lins commented how Jim and Dotty were so good at making people feel welcome and that one of his goals for success is to become more like them.
Bill Schenk appreciated the looks of reassurance from Jim who would sit up front during his first meeting as president.
Zoot Velasco told us of how the Muckenthaler Legacy Award is named after Jim Young and is honored to have Jim’s blessing to continute in his role playing Paul Harris and even received some mentoring from Jim in the art. Zoot shared his poem honoring Jim and Dotty:
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The legend of Jim Young
A walking history book
A song of many verse fully sung,
A theatrical wizard,
That was Dr. Jim Young
An educator of minds old and… youthful,
His instrument, his voice, tightly strung,
A brilliant orator heard through every corridor,
That was Dr. Jim Young
A Fullerton Legend of the Arts,
A former King James of Mardi Gras with beads far flung,
With family devotion past a life span,
That was Dr. Jim Young
A veteran of a foreign war,
By enemy fire, badly stung,
Representing the greatest generation,
That was Navy man Jim Young
A builder of education,
With a theatre on which his name is hung,
Architect of the arts in Fullerton,
That was Dr. Jim Young
He dined with Pepperdine and Chapman,
Greats that made havens under a California sun,
He helped them write our history,
And our present with Dr. Young.
He lived more than most would in three lives,
He toured the world with step well sprung,
Ambassador of Rotary,
Paul Harris lived in Jim Young.
We loved his Dotty, his right arm,
We mourned her loss,
The ladder stops working when you lose the rung,
And now he can join her in a heavenly dance together,
Mr. & Mrs. James Young
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Jim Williams mentioned that Cal State University, Fullerton will be hosting a memorial January 10, noting that today is a good opportunity to share our thoughts.
Randy McFarland shared his limerick:
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Round the World as Paul Harris he taught
For the Arts through performance he fought
At demotions he teased
Through his prose he did please
We miss him, but now he’s with Dot !!
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Bill Peloquin acknowleged that Jim Young suggested that he run for District Governor and remembered Jim helping at at New Years event.
Beth Jahncke recalled taking a speaking class from Jim and remembered how Jim was so encouraging with his comments about everyone’s positive attributes.
Bob Sattler attended Dot’s 2nd grade class at Golden Hill elementary and recalls sending an appreciated note of condolence to Jim when Dotty passed.
Gloria Radde also knew Dotty as a fellow teacher at Golden Hill and always received a Jim Young hug when she came to Rotary meetings.
Judy Prather remembers Jim’s championing her being District Governor, suggesting that she focus on what only she can bring to the job. She remembered that her daughters for years believed that Jim was the real Paul Harris after meeting him!
Bill Klinghoffer has a poem by Jim commemorating his 80th birthday and has a daughter who became a teacher with the goal of being like Dotty.
Sally Williams complimented how well Jim and Dotty’s kids turned out from a good upbringing.
Joan Kawasi recalls that a required reading book for teaching was written by Dotty.
Dan Ouweleen commented that Jim always knew what to say, when to say and how to say it. He appreciated Jim’s introduction to Tar, a leader in Rotaract.
Sandy Hayes remembers advice from Dotty. “Don’t bring flowers, bring a meal” for someone in recovry.
Doug Young, Jim and Dotty’s son, concluded the event by speaking for a few minutes, thanking all who attended and confirmed that he’s do his best to convey the love for his folks to his sister, Vickie and the rest of the family. He confirmed that, as we would expect, Jim indeed, did intensely miss Dot after she passed away. He also confirmed that his parents’ demeanor at home was just the same as in public. He then read a wonderful poem that Jim wrote for Dotty.
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HEARTS WERE NEVER MEANT TO BE ALONE
James D. "Jim" Young
1987
There is no storm they cannot weather
When Two hearts commune together.
Oh yes! We recognize the strife
That sometimes Tests a man and wife.
There are the times they feel alone
When Silence reigns — a wall of stone.
They realize it’s theirs to choose
How much Precious time to lose.
Alone, each knows they're not complete
And each is subject to defeat
If they give in to selfish greed
And fail to see each other's needs.
Two hearts, each to the other giving,
Will know the richest kind of living.
Happy day dear Valentine!
How good to know that you are mine!!
Love,
Jim
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All in attendance gave a resounding standing ovation in honor of Jim and Dotty.
The meeting was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful couple and we were very fortunate to have rubbed elbows with this low key, kind, caring couple.
| Proposed new member: John Di Caprio, by Dan Kiernan |
