" A Championship Season......."

Every football season begins with training camp. Without the vigorous excercise and dedicaton to fundamentals involved during training camp, no victory nor championship can be claimed.

Training camp opened on March 6, 1989 in Tulsa, Oklahoma with the arrival of the fourth child born from the union of Johnny Ray and Wanda [Charles] Young at Saint John Medical Center. He was named after his father, Johnny Ray Young, II.

Better known to family and friends as "Mookie", as the regular season started, Johnny began his formative years attending school at New Concept Preparatory School and Academy Central Elementary School. He then moved on to Carver Middle School and ultimately The Tulsa High School for Science and Technology. Mookie recently enrolled at the P:12 Alternative School, wehre he was becoming content inhis studies.

A Titan is defined as any of a family of giants born of Uranus and Gaea and ruling the earth until overthrown by the Olympian gods or one that is gigantic in size or power : one that stands out for greatness of achievement.

As the season continued, Mookie was dedicated to the game of football, where he was a Tackle on the Offensive and Defensive Line. The game of football is usually decided between the "hashes", where only the strong survive.

The playoffs approached, and it was apparent that possible champion was developing. Mookie was a certified Red Cross Lifeguard, certified in CPR and First Aid. he was a dedicated uncle to his only nephew, Jalin, whom he cherished dearly. Johnny was known by all of his friends and family as someone who had a zest and zeal for laughter and life as well. Mookie was known as a "gentle giant." His exterior said "brawn" but his heart said "I Love You."

The Championship Game was quite the battle and came down to the final play. On Championship Saturday, there was a yellow penalty flag thrown on the play. The officials, who just happened to be Angels, huddled to discuss the occurance. After further review, the Head Official, named Jesus made the final call. The play, which involved a personal foul, allowed the Titan's, led by Mookie Young, to gain that elusive championship. The play, which included a heroic act by Mookie to save a fellow friend, was rewarded by God giving the Most Valuable Player Award to Mookie, which gave him a full scholarship to "The University of Paradise", located just inside the Golden Gates of Heaven.

His team he leaves on the field and in the stands celebrating "Victory;" his devoted parents, Johnny and Wanda Young, of the home in Tulsa, Oklahoma; his grandparents, Barbara Johnson, Houston, Texas and Alice Young, Okmulgee, Oklahoma; his brothers, Broderick R. Young and Derek A. Young, both of Tulsa; his sister, Donnielle Charles, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his cherished nephew, Jalin Charles; his teamates of the Tulsa High School of Science and Technology Titans; church family, other relatives and a caravan of friends who will cherish his memory.

The final tribute will be on Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. in the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of North Tulsa, 1414 North Greenwood Avenue. Reverend Terry L. Buxton, Sr., will Preside and Reverend Vanzelen G. Brown will Officiate. Burial will follow in Green Acres Memorial Gardens.

You may visit Mookie on Wednesday from 10 AM until 7 PM with the family present at the Wake from 6 PM to 7 PM.