On January 25th, 2021, one of our long serving board members and active volunteers for Union Mission was called home at the age of 92. Emory Young, Jr. (who everyone knew as Bud) served for 48 years on the Board of Directors for Union Mission.

Bud was the epitome of “servant leader”. His long standing tenure on the board did not keep him idle or have him simply delegating responsibilities. Bud was always out in the town or deep in a rural holler helping people with needs and telling them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Prior to his passing, Bud could still be found driving into rural locations to assess the needs of many West Virginians despite being 92 years old.

“Bud was an incredible asset to the mission,” says Jason Quintrell, President and CEO of Union Mission. “He would come into my office frequently and share a situation that he had discovered where a rural family had no food or no running water or had a massive hole in their roof and snow was pouring in. If outreach funds were limited at that time or the needs were greater than the resources available, he would simply go find the money from his network of family and friends. Bud would never accept the words “we can’t” due to funding issues. He always found a way.”

Bud was also very active in his church and with Gideon International as well as other organizations in the area. Bud had a very successful career as a business owner and entrepreneur. He was very focused on his family as well.

Sandi Elliot, one of Bud’s daughters, explained how he loved his family, the outdoors, and Union Mission. “Dad was always so active,” she says. “He would make my siblings and me very nervous from time to time driving into these remote areas assessing needs. Next he would be out on a lake somewhere fishing or spending time outdoors. You couldn’t keep him down. He provided counsel and wisdom to his family and loved to share stories of his day and ask us about ours.” Bud’s greatest joy was telling people about Jesus. He had an incredible ability to take a typical conversation and turn it to a spiritual perspective without feeling forced or awkward.

“He would sit in my office from time to time and tell me about the needs of a specific family,” Jason says. “He would tell me how they need help with food or clothing or other issues, but would always explain how he already shared the Gospel with them. I can’t imagine the number of people that will be in heaven due to Bud showing up on their doorstep and telling them about the love of Christ. It is truly remarkable.”

Dr. Mitri Ghareeb, who served with Bud on the Union Mission Board of Directors the last 10 years recalls the experience of serving with Bud, “Serving on the board with Bud was pure joy. He always put a smile on my face. You could see the love he had for people and the Union Mission every time you were around him. I was always struck by his specific care for those in need. He knew what they needed and no matter what it took, he found a way to meet that need often with his own resources. I remember a couple of times he asked me to make teeth for a mom that was down and out. No charge. Just an opportunity to change their life and give them a smile again. That was Bud. Always wanting to make sure people had something to smile about.”

The board and staff at Union Mission are deeply grieved by the passing of Emory “Bud” Young and we will miss him greatly. We take comfort in knowing, however, that Bud is now spending eternity with his Savior that he was so anxious to tell others about. Please pray for Bud’s family as they mourn the passing of their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Please consider making a memorial gift to the mission in honor of Bud. We are determined to continue his effort of reaching the most needy in the most rural of places in West Virginia.