Obituary of Linda Kay Young

Linda Kay Young, age 74, passed away on May 22, 2017, surrounded by her loved ones in Ardmore, Okla. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, May 26, 2017 in The Chapel at Griffin~Hillcrest with Pastor David Gardner and Matt Bishop, Minister officiating. Interment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Linda Kay Rook was born to Gerald (Shorty) Rook & Margaret (Maggie) Willsie-Rook in Long Beach, California on October 21, 1942. Linda was raised in Long Beach, Malibu, and Fountain Valley for most of her years.  In 1963, she was married to John Lane in California and they had two sons, Johnny & Jeff, then divorced in 1973. Linda worked for General Telephone right out of high school as a long-distance operator.  She became a sub supervisor and, through a couple of emergency calls, helped two young children get out of a burning house before the fire department arrived.  She also helped a dying father track down his son, who was in the service, so he could talk to his son one last time before he passed. Those two events always stayed with her through the years.  At one time, she received a box of chocolates and a dozen red roses for her assistance.  She loved her job so very much.

In 1977, she married George VanBuskirk and moved to Lone Grove, Okla. where she fell in love with Oklahoma and the people who lived here.  She loved the friendly people and the beautiful country all through Oklahoma.  During the marriage, a daughter, Melinda VanBuskirk, was born.  Unfortunately, a divorce was filed for and she went to work as a secretary.  She was the first secretary for Cross Timbers Hospice when the business opened in Ardmore.  She loved her job at Cross Timbers so much that she also became a volunteer. Years later, she met Ken Young and they were married on August 26, 1988.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, her oldest sister, Marjorie Arms, and her oldest brother, Jerry Rook.

Linda is survived by her daughter, Melinda Hudson and her husband Chris, of Flower Mound, Texas, her son, Johnny Lane and his wife, Tracie of Ardmore, Okla., her son Jeff Lane and his wife, Vanessa of Rosemead, California, her husband, Ken Young, of the home, her step-children, Kenny Young and his wife Susan of Ardmore, Okla., Teri French and her husband Tommy, of Ardmore, Okla., and Gary Young and his wife Linda, of Ardmore, Okla.  She is also survived by five grandchildren, Caelyb Kerley, Emma Kerley, Jance Kerley, Steve Lane, and Jake Lane, two great-grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, and seven step-great grandchildren. Last, but certainly not least, she is survived by her right-hand man, Sassy, her Yorkie.  Sassy was always there with her to provide love and attention during her illness.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Lane, Gary Young, Kenny Young, Dewayne Adams, Steve Henson, and Paul Almon.

Visitation will be 6:00pm to 8:00pm, Thursday, May 25, 2017, at Griffin ~ Hillcrest Funeral Home.