James Alva Young, 87, passed away peacefully Saturday May 29, 2021, at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital. James was born the first child of Alva "Cap" Young and Opal (Huffman) Young in Protection, Kansas on December 05, 1933.

James attended grade school and high school in Protection, KS, graduating in the Class of 1951. James served in the US Army from 1956-1958 as PFC with the 232d Signal Company. He transferred to the US Army Reserves in 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1962 with a Good Conduct Medal.

On May 21, 1961, he married Lena Fay (Rosendale) Young at the Church of Christ in Woodward, OK.

In 1964, James started his career with the Kansas Forestry Fish and Game Commission as Manager of Decatur County State Lake, Oberlin, KS. In 1968, James moved to Clark County State Lake, Kingsdown, KS. He was an Area Manager for Clark, Hain and Hodgeman State Lakes and served as a Kansas State Game Protector. James and Lena raised their family while living at Clark State Fishing Lake for over 26 years. After 31 years of service, James retired from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. He loved hunting, fishing and living by the lake. James and Lena moved to Lake Arrowhead north of Medicine Lodge, KS, in December 1995.

James was preceded in death by his wife Lena, his parents, brothers: Frank Young and Dick Young, and sister: Mable DePriest.

He is survived by his children: James A. Young Jr of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Jacquelyn A. Gossett (Brett) of Chuluota, FL, grandchildren: James D. Gossett and Makayla A. Gossett, and sisters: Kathy Turley of Garden City, KS and Sandy Moore of Dodge City, KS.

A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 05, 2021, at the Protection Cemetery, Protection, KS with Pastor Tom Walters presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.