James Earl Young was born to Jim Young and Eva Weaver in Minden, Louisiana on March 6, 1944. His father and mother preceded him in death along with his daughter Shirlene Young. The siblings preceding him in death are Magdelene Cooper, Ziggie Rushing, Wallace West, Margie Young, John and Mary Willis. One surviving song, James Earl Young, Jr. Natherene Heard is his only surviving sister and many nieces and nephews.

James met his present wife, Gwendolyn Thompson in October 1988. The were neighbors. Soon James began courtship that Gwen was not aware of. He swooned her with his fine cooking and gentlemanly ways. They became inseparable! on January 6, 1996 they became one. No children were born of this union but James and Gwen were wiling to raise grandchildren...Darius, Kachina and Sheray. In time they were raising there great grand children..Khamia, Nkyia and Khloe. All of the children were raised as close as possible as Deuteronomy 6:6-9. For James, having the honor of being a part of there lives was a privilege beyond compare.

His spiritual progression grew as he became a more accomplished reader and his love for Jehovah grew even more. He strove to instill Jehovah's values into all of his family members. He will be missed.

Some preach their virtues and a few express their lives by what they do: that was him. no flowery phrase or glibly spoken words won praise or friends for him. He was not shallow but his course ran deep and it was pure. Not many in life you find whose deeds outran their words so far that more than what they seem, they are.