JAMES MERLE YOUNG

MUSCATINE, Iowa – James Merle Young, 82, passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at his home in Ramrod Key, Florida.

Born on April 1, 1943, in Muscatine, Jim was the son of Merle and Naomi Young. He attended Muscatine High School before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1960 to 1964 as an electronics technician at Point Mugu Naval Base in California. Jim was involved in the family business; Young Brothers Stamp Works. He started to work at Young Brothers after the Navy. He took over as president after the passing of his father, Merle.

Upon returning to Muscatine, he completed his education at Muscatine Community College. He later attended the University of Iowa and continued his education.

Jim possessed a natural mechanical aptitude and a lifelong curiosity for how things worked. Whether he was tinkering with vintage outboard boat motors, restoring cars, or maintaining his beloved Corvettes, he was rarely without a project. Above all, Jim was a man of the water. He spent his happiest years dividing his time between the Mississippi River and the Gulf waters of Florida Keys, always happiest when sharing the deck with family and friends.

On October 15, 1994, Jim married Delma Young in Muscatine. Together, they built a life defined by their shared love of travel and waterside living.

Jim has cast off the lines for the last time, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, adventure, and devotion to his family.

He is survived by his wife, Delma; his daughters, Mauri (Scott) Duncan of Tipton and Meigen (Brian) Fink of Iowa City; his grandchildren, Sam and Julia Fink; his stepchildren, Mariah (Adam) Hill and Ren (Craig) Stych; his step-grandchildren, Spencer and Naomi Teed; brother, Tom Young; and niece and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merle and Naomi Young; his sister, Carol Drummond; and his niece, Anne Drummond Egberts.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home in Muscatine. Interment at Greenwood Cemetery will be private. Casket bearers will be Brian Fink, Sam Fink, Scott Duncan, Craig Stych, Kevin Birkhofer, and Spencer Teed. Memorials may be made to the United Way and Muscatine Boat Club. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.