JUDITHA ANN (JUDY) YOUNG May 25, 1935 – May 21, 2024
Juditha Ann (Judy) Young of Los Alamos, NM died peacefully with her family by her side on May 21, 2024 – just four days shy of her 89th birthday.
She was born on May 25, 1935, in Fort Collins, Colorado to Harold Dillon Graham and Ruby Rossi Graham. When Judy was just a baby she lost her mother (Ruby Rossi Graham) to tuberculosis.
Judy was lovingly raised by Katy Fedric Graham.
Survivors include her son, Jeff Young DVM (Sandra) of Amarillo, Texas; daughter, Ruby Alexander (Mike) of Los Alamos, New Mexico; Daughter-In-Law, Dawn Sue Young of Bridgeton, Missouri; grandsons, Clinton Young of Longmont, Colorado; Cole Young (Ashley) of Seattle, Washington; Colin Alexander of Denver, Colorado; Clay Young (Bayli) of Amarillo, Texas; Dillon Alexander (Katelyn) of Headquarters, Idaho; Mackenzie Alexander of Phoenix, Arizona; great-grandchildren, Jaxon Young of Seattle, Washington; Ivy Young of Amarillo, Texas; Crue Young of Seattle Washington, and Tinsley Alexander of Headquarters, ID; brother, Roger Graham (Beth) of Denver, Colorado; along with numerous nephews and nieces.
She is preceded in death by her husband, James Charles (Jim) Young and son, Billy Joe (BJ) Young.
Judy was raised in Trinidad, Colorado alongside her younger brother, Roger Graham. Together they rode their bikes and had many shenanigans including Roger prompting Judy to try out her Mary Poppins skills while jumping off the garage with an umbrella in tow. Judy attended Trinidad Public Schools and graduated in 1953. Judy went on to earn her Associate Degree in Journalism from Trinidad State Junior College with a 4.0 GPA at the age of 65!
Judy’s last words to her children were “It’s a wonderful life.” Judy lived that dream life with her dream cowboy raising three children she was wonderfully proud of. Judy and Jim loved raising their family on Francis Avenue in Raton, New Mexico. They had a tight friend circle comprised of Youngs, Maios, Segottas, and Mullings. They got together for coffee and “visited” while their kids were off climbing mountains, scouting the ditch, building tree houses, and playing street games after dark. Judy always reminisced about those days – even in the last few days of her life.
While raising their family in Raton, New Mexico, Judy and her family attended First Baptist Church. She was also very involved in her children’s activities from Little League, Boy Scouts, 4-H Club, and Rodeo, to being the Cookie Coordinator for Vacation Bible School! Judy also enjoyed watching the Denver Broncos!
Judy & Jim’s 51-year marriage was centered around their love of Rodeo. Judy loved being married to the “Pickup Man” for the DD Rodeo Company. They attended many National Final Rodeos in both Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Las Vegas, Nevada. Attending the big Cheyenne Frontier Days and Pendleton Round-Up were highlights for them. Judy was even crowned 1975 Bean Queen by her rodeo friends and family at the Wagon Mound Rodeo and Bean Day Celebration in Wagon Mound, New Mexico! Judy was very involved for many years with the Raton Rodeo Association which was dear to her heart.
Judy was always an excellent seamstress. She sewed classy office wear for herself. For a Saturday evening event, it wasn’t unusual that she would whip up an outfit in which to dance the night away. Later in Judy’s life, she became a master quilter whose every hand stitch was perfect. Judy would quilt one of her immaculate quilts for each family wedding or new baby. Judy’s quilting was symbolic of how she quilted her family’s life together. Family was always her center – she quilted our family together – instilling the love of family into each piece, each block, each stitch. Her beautiful quilts adorn bedrooms in at least eight U.S. states.
Donations may be made in Judy’s name to Johnson Mesa Church Association, c/o Ruth Begio, 660 Hwy 72, Raton, NM 87740.
A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, June 8th at 1:00 PM at Johnson Mesa Church on Johnson Mesa outside of Raton, NM. Interment immediately following service at Johnson Mesa Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com
