Nick Young, 57

Eugene Nicholas Young Jr. — "Nick" 1965-2022

Nick Young, of Goodyear, Ariz., and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, died unexpectedly Nov. 13, 2022, with his wife by his side. His family is deeply saddened and shocked by Nick’s sudden death. Nick was born Nov. 1, 1965, to Mary Jean Knochenhauer and Eugene "Gene" Nicholas Young Sr. in Costa Mesa, Calif. He joined siblings Barbara and John. He was raised in California, Northern Arizona and North Idaho.

Nick was a graduate of Lakeland High School in Rathdrum, Idaho. He graduated from University of Washington with a MS in electrical engineering. He was an Army veteran of the Gulf Persian war and a member of the elite Army Special Forces Unit. He was honorably discharged after an injury that would leave him with debilitating chronic pain for the remainder of his life. Nick enjoyed hunting, working on his Ford pickup truck and visiting with friends. He was an active member in Veterans of Foreign Wars, St. Mary’s Basilica Catholic church in Phoenix, Ariz., and St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Nick met the love of his life, Rita George, in Arizona. Nick and Rita were married in February 2007. They recently celebrated 15 years of marriage. Nick and Rita loved to travel. They had many memorable times with scuba trips, ski trips, Europe and recently to the Holy land. Joyous moments in Nick’s life were the birth of his son, Nicholas Daniel, and meeting his wife, Rita. Nick was a proud father and enjoyed all the time he spent with his son. The trips skiing, scuba diving and biking the Hiawatha scenic bike trail in Idaho.

Nick is preceded in death by his father, Gene, and mother, Mary Jean, who passed six days after Nick. He is survived by his wife, Rita; son Nicholas of Gilbert, Ariz.; sister Barbara (Jon) Zimmermann of Richland, Wash.; brother John (Connie) Young of Hayden, Idaho; sisters-in-law Anne (John) Newman and Mary (Ed) Fairbairn; two nieces, three nephews and Knochenhauer cousins; and good friend, Margie Rochon.

A celebration of life in Coeur d'Alene is planned for the summer of 2023. He will be interred at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, Ariz.