He was a small man with a quick wit and a word of encouragement for everyone he met. He was a retired factory worker, a skilled craftsman, and a dedicated hunter and fisherman. He often wished that he had lived 150 years earlier so that he could have been a mountain man, and being outdoors was one of his passions. Cooking was another passion, and he always insisted on feeding guests, no matter when they appeared. He was a devoted father and grandfather and great-grandfather. Russ Dennis was a U.S. Navy veteran and remained proud of his service for his entire life. But above all else, Russell Dennis Young loved Jesus Christ and wanted everyone around him to learn about Jesus.
Although Russ Dennis was raised in the Catholic Church, he committed his life to Christ and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit sometime in the 1970’s. By the time I entered the Young family in 1982, Russ was a fervent Jesus believer who would witness to anyone, anytime, anywhere. One of his favorite means of witnessing was to take friends fishing in Lake Ontario. After all, as Russ once said, if his fishing companion didn’t want to hear about Jesus, what was he going to do? Swim two miles back to shore? (In addition to his commitment to Jesus, Russ also had a wicked sense of humor.)
Coming from a family with abundant musical talent, Russ played drums. He also learned to play the trumpet so that he could blow “Taps” at funerals for veterans. One of my husband’s and my fond memories is of Russ Dennis playing “Taps” for my husband’s brother Tink’s funeral in 2021. We can only hope and pray that someone will honor Russ in the same manner.
The last few years, Russ faced all kinds of health challenges, including multiple hospital admissions and kidney failure requiring dialysis. But whenever we would call Russ, he remained upbeat and enthusiastic, praying for us each time we called. We last spoke to Russ a few days before he died, learning that he had entered hospice care.
When we tried calling Russ’s family on May 13th and got no answer, we guessed that Russ might be in his final hours on earth. This morning we learned of Russ’s death through a Facebook post from his son Scotty.
When thinking about Russell Dennis Young and his life, the passage that most comes to mind is one from John Bunyan’s seminal work Pilgrim’s Progress. Bunyan is describing the death of Mr. Valiant-for-Truth. The Scottish author John Buchan quoted it in his book Mr. Standfast:
Then said he, “I am going to my Father’s; and though with great difficulty I am got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles who now will be my rewarder.“
So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.
On May 13, 2026, the trumpets sounded for Russell Dennis Young. For now, those of us left behind must remember, grieve, and treasure our memories as we are grieving. But we know that Jesus has told us that He is the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Now Russell Dennis Young is forever with the Lord. And one day, we too will join him.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we praise You for the life of Russell Dennis Young, who has joined You at the Throne. Help us to be as passionate for You and to demonstrate Your love and compassion as he has. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
1 When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound,
and time shall be no more,
and the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather
over on the other shore,
and the roll is called up yonder,
I’ll be there.
Refrain:
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
2 On that bright and cloudless morning
when the dead in Christ shall rise,
and the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather
to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder,
I’ll be there. [Refrain]
3 Let us labor for the Master
from the dawn till setting sun;
let us talk of all His wondrous love and care.
Then when all of life is over,
and our work on earth is done,
and the roll is called up yonder,
I’ll be there. [Refrain]
Tags: bible, christianity, faith, family, god, jesus, u-s-navy-veteran
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