Birth date: Nov 9, 1968 Death date: Feb 1, 2023
Donald Alan Young, born on November 9th, 1968 in Oregon City, OR, passed away peacefully at home in Oregon City on February 1st, 2023 at the age of 54. Alan attended St. John the Apostle Catholic School in Oregon City, OR and La Read Obituary
A story that is typical Alan-
We were on the Oregon City adult baseball team together for many years. One year (I don’t remember which) we made it to the championship game for the league. It was a big deal for us weekend warriors. We played all summer to get to this point and we were all excited to win.
I was the pitcher for this game and Alan was the catcher. He was a very solid defensive catcher. Hitting, another story (lol and he’d laugh and agree) but defensively I was very impressed. That’s such a hard position to play- especially at our ages.
We were getting stomped. They were good and we were just not up to par. All season all we wanted to do was beat this team from Hillsboro. We had our chance and it just wasn’t happening. The score was like 10-1 in the 5th inning. I was still pitching (somehow) and they did something that to me broke the “golden rule” - they were STEALING bases on us with that big of a lead. I was fuming. Usually Alan can talk me off the cliff when he’s talk to me but not this time.
I called Alan out to the mound. I was so mad that I told him “Alan, I’m hitting this next batter. I’m drilling him in the back”. Alan said “I know how mad you are, I am too. Are you sure you want to”? I said “Yup, I’m sure.” He told me, “OK let’s do this.” And he runs back behind the plate.
I get ready and look up and I see the biggest player on their team (and they had a lot of big players) walking to the plate. The dude was BIG! Alan saw the guy then looked at me with his smirk. He knew I was biting off a lot with this guy.
First pitch was inside and high. I really did try to hit him, but sometimes that is harder than just throwing a strike. Everyone screamed that I was trying to hit him. Next pitch I proved them all right! Square in the back. That hollow sound- I know that it hurt.
The guy falls down then gets up and throws the bat towards me and wants to go (which I couldn’t blame him) And who do you think stopped him? Who else but Alan Young. He gets between us both and says to the guy, “You don’t want this, you’ll have to go through me first”. Will never forget that. Alan Young, a great teammate. He even stood close to me at the end of the game during the hand shake.
We lost the game, but the bond we developed was very strong.
I will miss Alan. I didn’t even know he was sick. Life gets in the way and people move on to other things. This happens to everyone. I’ll never forget him as a caring teammate, father and husband. He truly was a good one!
Mike Danovich
Ann mentioned today that they will be inviting people to share tomorrow at Alan’s service. As much as I want to, I fear I wouldn’t be able to get through it…but I wanted to share it somewhere out there…
My memories of Alan start from when we met at LaSalle High School in the 80’s. In those early years of our friendship, there are so many tales of stupid teenage shenanigans…where Alan was almost always accompanied by Brett Thompson, and usually, things were diverted from “Plan A” when there was never a “Plan B” in place! No Animals were sacrificed and most certainly, with divine intervention, no serious injuries reported! I walked away from those years with a life-long friend in Alan.
From there we’d see each other from time-to-time, sometimes several years in between, but it never felt that way. He was one of the most genuine human beings I’ve ever known. He met everything life had to offer with such charismatic enthusiasm, and he had great success to show for it.
I think anyone that knew him, knew he LOVED baseball!!! He enjoyed his snowmobiling adventures, snorkeling, diving…I don’t think he was afraid to try most things. Most of all, he absolutely adored his family. He beamed with pride from Hayden and Caitlyn’s achievements, and I know one of the hardest things for him was knowing that he wouldn’t be here in person for the rest – and there’s some great things to come for both of them! Hayden and Caitylynn, I hope you always feel his spirit right along with you – he’ll be there! Oh, how he loved Ann. I remember when they first started dating…I knew right away that Ann was his “one”! How blessed to experience that kind of love, which makes this loss even greater – my heart breaks for you all. Alan often talked about the family dinners with his brothers and their families. Whoever could make it would come …and they would gather often and it brought him great joy.
What I witnessed near the end of his life, was Alan enduring pain longer than most could…I believe, selflessly, to allow peopled he loved to say goodbye. I was fortunate enough to see him last, on a good day, four days before he passed, and tell him I loved him and hug him goodbye. Another memory of him I’ll hold very close to my heart.
I love you my dear friend and I will miss you.
Lesley
Alan was always game for an adventure
Awesome to know him
