Jay Robert Young

Jay Robert Young, 66, of Knoxville died November 16, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family after a 2.5 year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. A native Michigander, he graduated in 1977 from Clio High School.

Jay retired in 2015 from General Motors, where he was a third-generation skilled tradesman, after more than thirty years of service. He moved his family to Middle Tennessee in 1989 to work at GM’s Spring Hill Manufacturing (then Saturn Corporation). A proud member of the United Auto Workers, he served as an alternate committeeman during his long career.

He loved watching his children and grandchildren play soccer, baseball, softball, and other sports. He also enjoyed coaching youth sports when the opportunity arose.

In retirement he was an avid marksman. He belonged to the Oak Ridge Outlaws club, competing regionally in cowboy action shooting competitions and often placing in his age division. Once diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Jay was an eager participant in first-in-human clinical trials through Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville, which kept him symptom-free for two years.

Jay was preceded in death by his mother, Betty (Johnson) Simmonds; his stepfather, Donald Simmonds; and his father, Orville Young.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Teresa Young; his children, Samantha (Stephen) Yeargin of Nashville, Tenn., and Steven (Angela) Young of Knoxville; and his grandchildren Ethan Young and Leah Yeargin. He is also survived by his sister, Karen (Mike) Mead of Columbiaville, Mich., and brother Jeff (Kim) Young of Clio, Mich.; brothers-in-law Michael Sheren of Linden, Mich., and Dennis Sheren of Phoenix, Ariz., and sister-in-law Shelly (Shawn) Neifeld of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He was Uncle Jay to three nephews, five nieces, and 17 grandniblings.

Per Jay’s wishes, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.