In Memory of Vince Young

Vince Young

Spouse: Su Young
Children: David, Alexander, Theresa, Ethan, Yitchak
DOB: March 5, 1954
Blessing: 10/14/1982
Passing: June 22, 2024
Seonghwa Ceremony: July 2, 2024 at 6:00 PM, Scarlet City Church,
114 Morse Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43214
Broadcast Link: 
www.youtube.com/@ScarletCityChurchColumbus
Cards, Flowers, and Donations can be sent to:  Su Young, 114 Morse Road, Columbus, Ohio 43214

We celebrate the life of Vincent Leon Young, a remarkable man whose presence enriched the lives of those around him. Born in 1954 in Columbus, Ohio, Vincent was the second son and fifth child of Andrew and Elizabeth Moon Young. His journey through life was marked by unwavering dedication to God, family, and a better world.

Vincent’s love for learning was evident from a young age. He was an avid reader, often found with a book in hand, particularly on topics of history and philosophy. This passion for knowledge and duty shaped his character and fueled his commitment to education and civil rights. While in Franklin Heights High School, he was offered a scholarship to the Naval Academy, but he chose a different path, one that led him to Purdue University and the Black Panther Party. Vincent’s activism in the civil rights movement was deeply rooted in his desire to make the world a more just and equitable place. Throughout his life, he would speak out when he witnessed injustice, and could not abide when people were taken advantage of. He would later graduate with his bachelor’s from New Mexico State University and continued learning. 

Vincent’s spiritual journey was equally profound. Raised in a Pentecostal church, he developed a deep love for God and the church community. In his younger years, he was known to spend days at church saying how he loved being in God’s house. His quest for spiritual truth led him to study Asian philosophy and martial arts, where he excelled in Taekwondo and Kyukushin karate. His dedication to martial arts was more than physical; it was a way to connect with his inner self and develop his character.

One of the defining moments of Vincent’s life was his joining the Unification Church in 1974. He was blessed in holy matrimony through his wife, Su during an international matching ceremony in Korea in 1982 in honor of world peace. Together, they committed to building a wholesome family for the sake of building a better world. Their union was blessed with five children, and Vincent took great pride and joy in being a father. He was deeply committed to his children’s spiritual and educational growth, personally homeschooling his children and inviting other teachers, extra-curricular instructors, and community experiences to ensure that they became well-rounded, self-made individuals.

Vincent’s commitment to community service was exemplified through his work with the Ohio Chapter of the Washington AIDS International Teens. As the director, he used the performing arts to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and promote abstinence, impacting many lives and organizations across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. His passionate support of this group and cause was fueled by his drive to foster the development and well-being of local youth and the wider community. 

Throughout his life, Vincent faced many challenges, but his faith and resilience were unwavering. He believed in the power of prayer and often sought God’s guidance in his endeavors. His time on the mobile fundraising team, called MFT,  took him to the most racially challenging places in Texas, where he felt the protective hand of God in the face of life-threatening danger and racism.

Vincent’s love for martial arts and Chinese philosophy extended to his family. He ensured that all his children learned martial arts, instilling discipline, respect, and the importance of self-defense and hard work. His hands-on approach to parenting was evident in the numerous activities he involved his children in, from Boy Scouts to community service projects. Some of his children’s favorite memories are camping with their dad. 

In the early 2000s, Vincent’s role as a community leader took on a new dimension with his involvement in international peace marches in Israel and religious cultural exchange pilgrimages in Korea. These experiences deepened his understanding of global issues and reinforced his commitment to fostering peace and understanding among different cultures and faiths.

Vincent’s life was not without its trials. Supporting Washington AIDS International Teens was such a joyful endeavor, and the dissolution of the team in Ohio was a significant blow to him, leading to a period of depression. However, his spirit remained unbroken. He founded a new initiative, Choice, to continue his community service and youth engagement mission. Despite the challenges, Vincent’s legacy of service, love, and dedication to his family and community activism remains a testament to his character. His sense of how deeply loved he was as God’s child, compelled him to share that feeling of deep love, care, and belonging to others. This truth was at the heart of Vince’s life and choices, and he could not but extend that sense of being included in one beloved family to all, regardless of where he met them or what they looked like.

Vincent Leon Young was a man of many talents and passions. His love for God, commitment to honor, and dedication to his family and community have left an indelible mark on all who knew him. As we remember and honor his life, let us carry forward his legacy of love, service, and unwavering faith.

Rest in joy, Vincent. Your journey on this earth has ended, but your spirit lives on in the hearts of those you touched and in the world beyond. Thank you for the love, wisdom, and inspiration you have given us.