Obituaries

Charlie Youngers

Charlie Youngers: 1952 - 2026

Charlie Youngers—devoted husband, brother, uncle, brother-in-law and friend to so many—passed away from a sudden illness on September 30, 2026. His loving wife, Deborah, was with him when he died.

Those who knew him knew a man who had no patience for idleness. He loved the work he had done for many years with his brother in their remodeling and construction business, and enjoyed anything he could fix, remodel, repurpose or rebuild. “Leave things better than you found them” was his belief and practice.

Charlie’s favorite place to be was anywhere in the outdoors, wherever there was something to be done—whether fishing, hunting, working in the yard, gardening, or merely taking his daily walks outside in nature—“his church”, he called it—energized by the beauty and peace that surrounded him.

Charlie was a master craftsman with immense talent. He could study ugly, weathered pieces of ancient timbers and turn them into creative masterpieces for people he loved. In the spring of 2025, two of his brothers, a nephew and a friend helped in building the framework for Charlie’s and Deborah’s cabin in the mountains. Every day for 6 months thereafter, Charlie measured and cut lumber, climbed ladders, shot nails, built doors and stairways, hung windows, and completed the entire interior and exterior of that cabin, with his own two hands. Every piece of wood, every item inside and out, from floor to ceiling, bears his handprints and carries a part of his spirit.

Charlie’s greatest passion though was fishing, and he excelled in it. With a professional fishing background and an understanding of how and where fish lived, from Lake Oneida to Big Bay to the Madison River, he thrived on the challenge to always “be smarter than what you’re messin’ with”. Charlie’s love for spending the day on a boat or in a deer stand always resulted in filling his freezer with fish, fowl and venison that produced delicious meals and sustenance for him and his wife, from the bounty that God provided.

Charlie greatly enjoyed spending time with friends, whether they be folks he’d known since childhood, those he’d met in recent times, or family members he deeply valued and also thought of as friends. He enjoyed long conversations with friends about things they’d done and shared, and he looked forward to making plans for their next adventures, whether with flies or Snagless Sallies, or shotguns and crossbows.

Charlie worked hard all his life and was a man of great fortitude, character, commitment, and principles. He knew the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, and was not willing to compromise on those things. He was Deborah’s loving and devoted husband, companion, provider, fearless protector, inspiration and best friend. He was warm and loving, funny, sarcastic, sensitive, caring, loyal and kind, and he will forever be missed by those who knew him and loved him. He is survived by sisters Mari, Lori, Julie and Becky, and brothers John, Kenny and Paul.

Plans for a Remembrance and Celebration of Charlie’s Life will be announced in the coming weeks.

Online condolences may be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Youngers family.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.