Roger Dean Young, 1936-2026

UPDATE A memorial service will be held from 1:00-4:00 PM on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the English Chapel at Ohio Northern University.  Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada. 

Roger Dean Young, age 89, of Ada, passed away peacefully at Vancrest of Ada, surrounded by his family, on March 19, 2026. 

He was born on October 13, 1936, in Middletown, Ohio, to Ellison and Beatrice Young. 

On March 29, 1958, Roger married Betty L. (Farthing) Young, his loving wife of sixty-seven years, who survives in Ada. Together they had four children: Kevin (Allison) Young, Lori Fairchild, Brian (Jodi) Young and Beth Price. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren: Patrick (Heather) Murphy, Stephanie (Dusty) Dysert, Andrew (Amber) Dunn, Ray Young, Emily (Allison “Fish”) White, David (Sofi) Young, Jake Maher, Hannah (Brenden) Szippl, Kyle (Amanda) Young, Atom (Christen) Swope and Mallory (Tyler) Price; eighteen great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; and a sister: Marcia (Richard) Chesney. 

Roger was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, Joseph Price. 

Roger was a faculty member and served in various roles at Ohio Northern University, Ada, for over thirty-four years. He was the Vice President for Financial Affairs, served as Interim Dean of the College of Business Administration, and Chair of the Department of Business Administration and Economics. Roger received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Ohio Northern University.  In 1972, Roger was named the Outstanding Educator in America.  

Roger enjoyed watching tennis, the Cincinnati Reds baseball and his grandkids' sporting events.  He loved playing racquetball and was a proud gold medal recipient at the Senior Olympics.  Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. 

A memorial service will be held from 1:00-4:00 PM on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the English Chapel at Ohio Northern University. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ada Public Library, 320 N. Main St., Ada, Ohio 45810.