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John Alan Young dies at 72 

John Alan Young

John Alan Young, 72, passed suddenly on December 29, 2017 at his home in Paso Robles. Born July 3, 1945 in Loma Linda, California, Alan was the son of John and Violet Young and beloved brother to Glenda Frame. Alan grew up in Perris, California as a second-generation farmer. Always big for his age and curious, he was in potato and onion fields driving tractor, moving pipe and learning to farm from his earliest memories.

In 1965, while on a school break from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he was set up on blind date with Janet Newell. The two became instantly inseparable and married two months later. Together, they enjoyed 52 years of marriage full of family, love and being the best of friends. They completed each other. Alan and Janet raised two daughters, Stasi and Sindee. After 24 years of separation, Janet’s first-born daughter, Debby Christian joined the family as well.

Early in his career, Alan worked for a Wren O’Neil Irrigation, in Santa Maria, where he designed and sold irrigation systems for farms and ranches all over the Central Coast. He helped design the original pump system for the Mustang Water Park at Lopez Lake in Arroyo Grande; something of which he was most-proud. When the vineyard boom struck in the early 70’s, he was there, designing and installing irrigation systems on thousands of acres, which led to planting and managing vineyards. He left his mark in vineyards from Santa Ynez to Parkfield.

In 1977, Alan surprised Janet and the family with a job offer to move to from Arroyo Grande to Shandon, California and manage vineyards. Together, they made Shandon their home for 30 years where they worked together; Janet keeping the books and Alan managing and owning vineyards and a custom harvesting business.

He was a pioneer in the Paso Robles wine industry where he helped form the Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association (now the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance) and served on the Board and numerous committees, including the formation of the Paso Robles Wine Festival. He also helped form the SLO County Ag Task Force and served and supported the agricultural community in many ways.

In 2005, they sold their vineyard and purchased the Atascadero UPS Store. Eventually, they purchased two more UPS stores in Morro Bay and Paso Robles. Alan also used his agricultural knowledge to sell real estate. The same year, they moved to Heritage Ranch with Alan’s sister, Glenda.

Alan was a big man in every way. He had a photographic memory, an impressive wit and a wicked sense of humor with a knack for finding or creating hilarious moments. He was a sensational storyteller and conversationalist. He knew a little (or a lot!) about almost any subject. If you ever had the chance to talk with him, it was apparent that he was a life-long learner who was constantly wanting to know more, which left you wanting to know more. He was Wikipedia before there was a Wikipedia! You knew you were in for a great story when, after 15 minutes of talking he would say, “To make a long story short.”, take a deep breath and continue telling his story for another 15 minutes!

He was caring and kind, often buying clothes and food for the homeless around Paso Robles.

He was an avid hunter his entire life and could hit a target from 300 yards. For over 20 years, he trekked to New Mexico to elk hunt. He always got his elk on the first day, with his first shot, then stayed to enjoy the hunt with his guide friends, just to be out with them.

Alan loved to teach and share his knowledge of farming. First, with his daughters, where he instilled strong work ethics, and later, with many high school and college students he hired to work part time at the ranch, and finally, his grandchildren. “Da” loved to take his grandkids “farming”.

As the family often joked, he was a man out-standing in his field! He was a master with duct tape and bailing twine, inventing numerous “fixes” to anything broken; one of his many “Alanisms”!

He is survived by his wife, Janet, sister, Glenda Frame of Paso Robles; daughters, Stasi (Jim) Seay of Paso Robles, Sindee (Jason) Smith of Creston and Debby Christian (David Bundy) of Paso Robles; grandchildren, Alyssa Winter (Erik Reid) of Atascadero, Lainee Ayers of Atascadero, Kevin Christian of Haslet, Tx, Cassie Ayers of Atascadero; great-grandchildren, Owen Winter, Audra Reid and Dane Reid and his furry best friend, Mickey.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, January 28 at 2 p.m., Castoro Cellars, 1315 N Bethel Rd, Templeton.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating, in Alan’s name, to the Shandon FFA to continue his love of agriculture and learning: Shandon FFA, PO Box 79, Shandon, CA 93461.

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The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.