Thomas Douglas Young

Thomas Douglas Young, age 83, of Austin, Texas, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025, surrounded by his family. Thomas was born in Franklin (Macon County), NC. He graduated from Franklin High School, where he played football, and then joined the Army. He met his future wife in high school, and in 1966, they moved to Texas at the urging of an Army buddy, with plans for him to work for the phone company.

Upon arrival in Houston, Texas, he secured a job on the first day at a Phillips 66 station near their apartment. He soon landed the phone company job and worked as a cable repairman for Southwestern Bell. He worked as a “phoneman” for 34 years, where he was known as Doug or Tommy, and he retired as an installer for AT&T/Lucent. He worked tirelessly to support his family, but always made time to attend baseball or soccer games for his boys. He enjoyed fishing and catching shrimp with the family on his boat.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Burdell Justice and Wymer Edison Young, and his brothers Don and Ken Young.

He is survived by his wife, Hattie Young; his sons, Thomas and Wayne, and their spouses, Jodi and Lee Ann; his grandchildren, Noah, Erin, and Paxton; and his brother, Richard Young.

The family would like to thank Legacy at Oakhill and Magnolia Hospice for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in his final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks at 2 p.m. on September 20, 2025. Visitation with the family will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to the Telephone Pioneers of America.