Robert Ted Younger

Robert Ted Younger, 74, of Lynchburg, VA, passed into the arms of our Lord while surrounded by his family on September 4, 2014. His death came after a long and valiant struggle against cancer and emphysema.

Born on August 3, 1940, Ted was the only child of the late Robert C. Younger of Lynchburg and Willie (Billie) Vernon Quill of Appomattox. In addition to his parents, Ted was preceded in death by his first cousin, Betty Edwards and his aunt, Anne Ramsey.

He graduated from E.C. Glass High School in 1958, and attended Emory and Henry College where he played football and semi-pro baseball. He later transferred to Lynchburg College, graduating in 1963, with a BA in Economics.

In January 1963, he married his college sweetheart, Billie Raye McClung. Ted and Billie began a lifelong adventure together and created a wonderful family and life.

Ted then started on what was to become an amazing career that proved he was truly a self-made man. His first job was with Chrysler Corporation as a management trainee, which led to a position as district manager. Later, he became district zone manager for Volkswagen of North America in Charlotte, NC. In 1972, he joined Mid-Atlantic Toyota and then realized his dream of becoming an auto dealer when he took a chance and purchased a dealership in Columbia, MD in 1973. Several years later, Ted seized the opportunity to establish Younger Toyota/ Mercedes-Benz in Hagerstown, MD. There his business grew and he served on numerous Toyota dealer boards until his retirement in 1992.

Ted and Billie spent much of their time in Corolla, NC. While the Carolina beaches satisfied his love of fishing, the West coast of Florida eventually drew his attention. They settled in Bonita Springs, FL in 1992, and enjoyed many years with new friends playing golf, fishing, and hosting visitors from up North. Finally, after years of spending the summer months in Lynchburg where Ted grew up, they chose to take up permanent residence. There, Ted reconnected with numerous relatives and friends, and rekindled some of the closest relationships of his life. He often told his family how blessed he was to “come home” where he was received by friends with open arms and was able to see his children and grandchildren more often.

Ted served in many philanthropic organizations as a business leader in his community, and donated freely to many civic causes. He was a Rotarian in Columbia, MD, and was an active member of the Hagerstown’s Exchange Club where he displayed a passion for the Maryland Theater renovation project.

He loved surf fishing at the Outer Banks, and enjoyed fishing for snook/tarpon and redfish in the backwaters of Florida, salmon in Alaska, and bonefish in Belize…he really could have hosted his own fishing show! He was also a big sports fan. He played tennis and golf, and had a special fondness for his home team, the Redskins, especially when he saw them win the Superbowl against Miami in 1982!

Ted was known as a great dancer and could really cut a rug either Carolina two-stepping or shagging to beach music.

He truly loved mentoring others to become successful in business and in life. He believed that good deeds and helping others would always return to him two-fold…and his returns were many.

Of all his interests and achievements, Ted cherished his time with his family the most. He took immense pleasure in being an active part of his children’s and grandchildren’s lives.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Billie Raye; his son, Brandon and his wife, Haven, of Hagerstown, MD; his daughter, Sheridan Conley and her husband, Jaime, of Virginia Beach; his grandchildren: Leighton, Griffin, Emerson, McRaye, and River; his Uncle Jack Younger of Ocala, FL; cousin Joey George of Lynchburg; and his beloved dogs: “Shugah” and his new pup Cocoa.

A Celebration of Ted’s Life will be held Saturday, September 13th, 2014, at 11:30 AM at Tharp Funeral Home in Lynchburg, Virginia.

The family and Ted requested that in lieu of flowers, any special donations be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, or the Billie & Ted Younger Scholarship Fund c/o Lynchburg College, 1501 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501, Attn: Denise McDonald.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg (434-237-9424) is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent by visiting: obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.