J Lowell Young

J Lowell Young, 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 19th, 2017 at home in Corvallis, Oregon, attended by loved ones. Lowell was born December 13th, 1925 in Perry, Utah to Isaac Albert Young and Mary Elzada (Nelson) Young. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Ann (Jones) Young; his son Gordon Young and wife Jeanne Young; his daughters LoAnn Baker, her husband Karl Baker; and Kathryn Arnold, her husband Mike Arnold; his son-in-law Thomas McCormack (Colene Young); 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and brothers Grant and Moylen Young. He was preceded in death by his daughter Colene Young (11/13/2015); sister Mary Stokes, sister Florence White, sister Dorothy Souter, sister Janet Johnston, brother Dean Young; and parents, Isaac and Mary Elzada. Lowell served in the United States Army Air Corp as a flight officer (navigator) between 1944 and 1946. After completing his church mission in New Zealand from 1947 to 1949, Lowell attended BYU where he met and fell in love with Ruth Ann. They married in Logan, Utah on September 15th 1950. Lowell received his Bachelors of Science degree from BYU in 1953 and continued his education at the Ohio State University, graduating only 3 years later with a Ph.D. He spent his career in academia beginning as a research assistant post-graduate at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, Columbus, 1953-1956 then as a postdoctoral fellow, 1956-1957. He moved with his family to Corvallis, Oregon to become a Chemist for the United States Department of Agriculture’s, Agricultural Research Service, 1957-1964, and a research chemist, 1964-1978. He was an assistant professor at Oregon State University, 1957-1963, associate professor, 1963-1978, professor of soil science, 1978-1988 retiring in 1988. During his career he authored over 70 publications and was Associate Editor for the Soil Science Society of America between 1975 and 1980. Lowell was honored in 2007 by Oregon State University as a Diamond Pioneer, an award recognizing accomplishments in agriculture and related fields. Lowell was an avid lifelong student, teacher and leader pleading for the responsible stewardship of spaceship Earth’s resilient yet fragile bio-systems, including our life-sustaining soils, air, and water. He contributed, via fundamental research, to knowledge about micro-size mineral, organic, and biological components of soils; about their composition and union into colloidal and micro-aggregate particulates; and about their interfaces, interaction and transformations with consequent overwhelming importance to soil stability, fertility and plant productivity. He led in the early recognition of nutrient and soil losses from erosion in Willamette Valley croplands. These efforts started studies in non-point or diffuse pollution of water in agricultural watersheds. He cared deeply about our world and environment and in addition to his research and teaching was a long-time member, donor, and advocate to many environmental, progressive, social, and educational organizations including Nature Conservancy, Greenbelt Land Trust, Southern Poverty Legal Center, and both his alma maters. Lowell will be deeply missed by his family and friends who will no doubt always remember and cherish his sharp wit, indomitable skepticism, and insatiable intellectual curiosity. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 21st, 2017 2:00PM at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Corvallis, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Benton Hospice Service. A celebration of life is planned for July 2017.

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J Lowell Young

December 13, 1925 - February 19, 2017