Tom Young, Sr.

AIKEN, SC - Remembered as caring, generous, principled, humble, respectful, honest, sincere, and kind and considered as a friend to all, true gentleman, mentor, and super Husband, Dad, and Grandfather, Mr. Thomas Roy “Tom” Young, Sr., 77, beloved husband of Delly O. Young, passed away peacefully at Augusta University Medical Center on Friday, January 13, 2023 surrounded by his family. While his passing ended his nine-year fight with metastatic prostate cancer, it represents the beginning of his eternal life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Born on May 19, 1945 and raised in the mill town of Ware Shoals, S.C., Tom was the son of the late Roy Furman and Jessie Louise Ashley Young. There he learned the values of faith, family, hard work, integrity, and helping others which guided him through his entire life and formed the foundation for all of his future impacts and success. After finishing Ware Shoals High School in 1963, Tom enrolled at Anderson College becoming the first in his immediate family to attend college. Entering Anderson on academic probation, Tom achieved surprising academic success before finishing in 1965. Looking to further his education at either the University of South Carolina-Columbia or Clemson, Tom jokingly remembered he chose USC because he would not have to take calculus! While at USC, Tom joined Kappa Sigma fraternity before graduating in 1967 with a business degree. Soon after, Tom enlisted in the S.C. National Guard where he served for eight years earning the rank of Lieutenant. Initially employed out of college with Springs Mills in Fort Mill, Tom was hired in 1968 by Allstate Insurance Company to work in its accounting department in Charlotte. Tom quickly decided that insurance sales was a better future career path with Allstate for him. Hence, in 1969, Tom moved to Aiken where he started selling insurance for Allstate from a booth in the Sears store on Whiskey Road across from Mitchell Shopping Center. From those humble beginnings, Tom moved to a stand-alone Allstate agency in 1982. In recognition of his agency’s customer service and success, Tom was inducted into the Allstate Insurance Company Hall of Fame in 2007 and the agency was named as the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year in 2019. For fifty-three years, Tom sold insurance in Aiken for Allstate and the family agency continues today with Tom’s son Bryan leading the team. In addition to achieving his own business success, Tom mentored dozens of others in business, insurance, banking, law, and athletics. His impact extends all over South Carolina and other states with many highly successful leaders and business professionals attributing a portion of their accomplishments to the principles which Tom shared with them through his words, encouragement, and actions. Tom’s service to Aiken County and to South Carolina extended for decades. Over the years, he served in many civic, business, and faith-based organizations including as Chairman of the Aiken County Gamecock Club for over 20 years; statewide Chairman of the Gamecock Club Board of Directors for 15 years; Anderson University Board of Trustees; USC Parents’ Council; Clemson Parents’ Council; Aiken County Transportation Committee; Rotary Club; USC Aiken Partnership Board; and others. Tom’s love for and dedication to his family were second to none. Unconditionally devoted to each other, Tom and Delly married in 1969 and built their marriage on a strong foundation of love and timeless values. Together, they taught their two sons important lessons at an early age and created lasting memories for each of their boys with their time spent as a family. In recent years, Tom and Delly focused on their grandchildren and doing all that they could to love, help, and teach each of them. Affectionately known as Papa, Tom’s love for his grandchildren was seen on a daily basis by all who knew him. His grandchildren will miss his notes, calls, texts, and loving conversations always meant to support them and to show his love for each of them. Next to his family, Tom’s greatest love was serving his Church and the Lord. For fifty years, he served Millbrook Baptist Church as a member and leader. At Millbrook, Tom served as a deacon and as chairman of multiple committees including the Finance, Personnel, and the Building Committees. Under Tom’s leadership, Millbrook constructed its current sanctuary welcoming hundreds each week on South Aiken’s Whiskey Road. A loyal and passionate USC Gamecock, Tom regularly attended all USC home football games and many away games for decades before his illness prevented his doing so. He was particularly proud that 2023 would be his fiftieth year as a member of the Gamecock Club. Always the optimist, Tom had renewed faith with the recent success of the Gamecocks’ football program. The family extends special thanks to Dr. Daniel George and his team at Duke University Cancer Center; Dr. David Fallaw, Dr. Jigarkuman Parikh, Dr. Asha Nayak, and Dr. Marshall Newman and their teams at Augusta University Medical Center and the Georgia Cancer Center; the staff at Cumberland Village; the staff at Daybreak Adult Care Services; Delores Wright; Woodrow Sweeney; and the many friends and extended family who loved, cared for and prayed for both Tom and his family during his illness. Forever cherished and remembered, Tom is survived by his loving wife Delly of 53 years; his sons Tom (Heather) of Aiken and Bryan (Casey) of Aiken; his four grandchildren Hailey, Ashley, Granger, and Knox; his sisters Margaret (Joe) Gowan of Ware Shoals, S.C. and Sandra (Bob) Franks of Pulaski, Tennessee; his brother in law Jim Ouzts of Fayetteville, GA; his sister in law Kathy (Rich) Bonjour of Weddington, N.C.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Friday, January 20 at 2:00 pm at Millbrook Baptist Church in Aiken. The service will be Livestreamed on Tom's obituary page. Burial services will be private. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 19 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Shellhouse Funeral Home, 924 Hayne Avenue, Aiken. Pallbearers are Rob Shellhouse, Ronald Lee, Woodrow Sweeney, Jeff Howell, Allen Simmons, Cricket Grant, Chris Fulmer, and Houston Brown. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Hardy, Dean Keaton, Ed Farmer, Stew Maurice, Lionel Smith, Jimmy Hamilton, Greg Ryberg, and Dale Haas; members of the Aiken Business Men’s Club; and current and former Allstate Insurance agents. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Millbrook Baptist Church Building Fund, 223 South Aiken Boulevard S.E., Aiken, SC 29803; Turkey Creek Cemetery Association, PO Box 478, Ware Shoals, SC 29692; or to the charitable organization of your choice. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Tom Young, Sr., please visit our flower store.