Paul Arthur Young died Monday, July 16, 2007, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center.

Visitation will be at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, July 20, 2007, at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with the Rev. Arnold Kari officiating. Burial with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery.

Paul was born July 31, 1925, to Fred and Bertha (Orth) Young at Stoneville, S.D. He was the youngest of three children. Paul attended school at Stoneville through the 11th grade. He went to Sturgis for his senior year but quit just before graduation to help his Dad on the ranch. Paul received his GED in 2001.

Paul was drafted into the U.S. Army at the onset of WWII.

He received a deferment because it was sheep shearing time and there was a shortage of shearers.

Paul served in the Army from May, 1945 to October, 1946; he was stationed in Germany and was the payroll clerk of his division. After his service to his country, Paul returned to Stoneville and purchased his own land while continuing to work with his Dad.

On Sept. 2, 1950, Paul was married to Julia Eveleth in Rapid City at the Old Cathedral Church. They had five children: William Francis, who died shortly after birth. Paul and Julia raised their family on the ranch until his retirement in 1988 when he and Julia moved into Sturgis. He especially enjoyed spending Sunday afternoons roping with his neighbors.

Paul was a 4-H leader, a member of the American Legion, a lifetime member of the VFW, a member of the Sturgis Senior Citizens Center, and a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

During his retirement years, Paul spent many hours restoring Model-A cars and trucks. He refinished antique furniture, built many projects out of wood, spent countless hours caring for his yard and flowers and driving to Deadwood to eat and try to win his fortune.

Paul is survived by his wife of 56 years, his four children, six grandchildren,one great-granddaughter, two sisters-in-law, two nephews and three nieces.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his infant son, William; his grandson, Travis Olesen; his brother, Robert; his sister, Violet Speed; his nephew, John Speed; and three brothers-in-law, Russ Speed, Bernard Eveleth, and Francis Eveleth.

Memorials have been established to the Hospice of the Northern Hills and the Sulphur Creek Unit of the Enning Fire Department.