Tom Young, 53, of Mt. Vernon died on July 23rd, 2005 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Wednesday at the Tom Young Community Center in Mt. Vernon. Burial will be at the Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Wednesday at the Community Center. He was born on April 30, 1952 in Mitchell to Edward and Luella (Weber) Young. He attended Mt. Vernon Public School and graduated in 1970. Following graduation he attended Springfield College for 3 years and Dakota State College for one year where he received his teaching degree. He married Sharon Espedal in August 1974 and they returned to Mt. Vernon where Tom began his dedicated career to the Mt. Vernon School District where he served as teacher and coach. For 31 years he taught middle school math and also taught drivers education, physical education, and social studies. During his career Tom was active in all athletics as a player, coach, cheerleading advisor, referee and fan. Most recently he served as the Activities Director and was named Region Athletic Director of the Year in 2005 for his outstanding service. He served as the Region Chairman for Volleyball. Tom took great pride in his service to the school, not only as a teacher and coach, but also as bus driver, advisor and mentor. Tom was actively involved in numerous activities and organizations in his school and community. He was City Finance Officer for the City of Mt. Vernon for the 10 years and was instrumental in the progressive development of the Mt. Vernon Community, from the building of the school, the paving of the streets, and the construction of the Community Center which now bears his name. Tom was dedicated to his family, his profession, his community and the many students whose lives he impacted. He taught his subject matter with knowledge, life lessons by example, and had a flair for humor that made learning fun and memorable for his students. Tom is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughters April Crago and husband Chad of Highmore, SD and Abby Vanden Hoek and husband Trent of Corsica; sisters Linda McMahan and husband Tom of Buena Vista, CO and Kathy Baker and husband Dean of Mount Vernon; sister-in-law Kate Young of Watertown; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Paul Young.