Funeral service for Mr. Joseph Douglas “Joe” Young, age 78, of Fayetteville, TN will be conducted at 1pm on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at Higgins Funeral Home with Dr. Jon Hathcock and Pastor Ron Wood officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be from 11am until time of the service on Thursday.
Joe was born on July 15, 1942, to the late Thomas and Christine Harrell Young in Dothan, AL. He passed away on September 21, 2020 at St. Thomas West Hospital.
Joe graduated from Fayetteville Central High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree and Master’s degree in History from Middle Tennessee State University. While in college, Joe worked for the Geology Department with the State of Tennessee, and later, with the public relations magazine for Genesco. Joe taught at Stratford High School in Nashville upon receiving his Master’s degree. When he returned to Fayetteville, he became Educational Coordinator with the OEO over several counties. Joe returned to teaching at Eighth District School and proudly coached the girls’ basketball team to a county championship. In 1970, Joe built Fayetteville’s first FM radio station, WYTM, and later acquired WEKR-AM station, he has been the owner and general manager of both radio stations since then.
Joe always had a love of hunting and fishing, he combined this interest with television when he became one of the hosts of Alabama-Tennessee Outdoors, which was shown on a Huntsville television station. When The Nashville Network began, Joe continued this interest as director and producer of several sports shows on that network. He worked with many country music entertainers on Country Sportsman, Celebrity Outdoors, and Advantage Outdoors. When The Nashville Network was sold, Joe continued his sports directing with the Key West Marlin Tournament. Joe was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fayetteville.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Higgins Young; daughter, Elizabeth Young Hill; granddaughters, Charlotte Hill and Meggie Hill; and son-in-law Ruse Tucker. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Margaret Young Tucker; sister, Dorothy “Dot” Thompson; and brothers, Jim Esten Young and Thomas Andrew Young.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fayetteville First Baptist Church, 210 Elk Avenue North, Fayetteville, TN 37334 or Fayetteville-Lincoln County Library, 306 Elk Avenue North, Fayetteville, TN 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Joseph Douglas Young.