Funeral services for John Lawrence “Hickory Nut” Young were held at Jeane’s Funeral Service December 10. Burial followed in the Cooper Cemetery.
He was born and raised on an 80 acre farm, “the home-place” in Toro Bayou in Sabine Parish to Willis N. Young III and Mamie Longoria Young on September 8, 1931. He passed in his sleep at home in Hornbeck on December 7, 2018.
Hickory Nut was the youngest of six children. His father ran a sawmill operation and raised livestock and crops. During his childhood, he worked with the mules and horses, pulling logs to the mill, cutting trees, making rail-road ties and fence posts, and helping raise crops for family use. He got his nickname from hanging on the tail of the old mule, and the mule gave him a kick. He would say the name came from the resulting knot on his forehead. His cousin James Aswell, who is older, will say the name came from the same story, but that John was not hurt when the mule kicked him, and John’s dad said that his head was as hard as a hickory nut.
When John left home, he transported cars and trucks all over the United States for his brother, Charlie Young and for David and Wade Cook and other Cook family members. He took special pride hauling classic and restored vehicles and traveling and stopping by Las Vegas. He believed he was there at least 50 times.
Hickory Nut claims to have had no wives or children. Inez, his sister says he was the only smart one in the family because he never married. Later he started his own business and sold vehicles under J&J Motors in Hornbeck.
He was renowned for his heart attacks. The first one was in 1985. All together, he had 16 heart procedures and two open-heart surgeries. Dr. Rangi said, “Hickory Nut has gone where no other patient of mine has been.” He took joy in everyday life. Mostly, he appreciated his friendships, pulling a practical joke, telling stories, and sharing and giving little gifts. He loved Hornbeck and the people of Hornbeck loved, cared for, and probably even got a bit aggravated at him. His friends and the community enabled him to do what he wanted to do most, which was to live out his final days at home.
He was preceded in death by his parents Willis N. Young III and Mamie Longoria Young, siblings Bertha (Warren) Duncan, Willis N. Young, Herbert (Shirley) Young, Charlie L. (Karen) Young, Annie “Inez” (Chester) Burgess, and step brothers Willis D. Young and Douglas B. Young.
Left to cherish their memories of him are his nieces and nephews, Gary Duncan, C.A. Burgess and wife, Teresa, Cindy Burgess and Walter Pelt, Kim and husband, Steve Dickey, Deb and husband, John Bowden, Pam Widener, Dan Young and wife, Michelle, Kirk Young and wife, Michelle, Shelia Young, Dolly Young, Allen Young, and Terri Beckwith.
The family of Hickory Nut would like to extend a special thanks to Betty and Frankie Howard, Sheldon Anderson, Sharolotte, Charlene and Elvin, and Nancy Haymon employees and coffee crew at E&N Quick Stop, and Glen Porch. He loved you all.
Death Notice
Services for Barbara Ann “Bobbie” Wheeler, 79, of Zwolle were held December 14 at Bartley Funeral Home with Bro. Donnie Herring officiating. Interment followed in Creagleville Cemetery. She was born November 18, 1939 in Fruitvale, Texas and passed away December 8, 2018 in Alexandria.