Joel Patrick Young left us on Saturday, January 28, 2012, in Denver, Colorado. He was just five months shy of his twentieth birthday. Capturing Joel's spirit and complexity in words is nearly impossible. As a little boy, Joel was a shock of red hair and a swirl of freckles, pasted together above a sweet, sideways smile. He wore boxer shorts and cowboy boots (when he wore clothes at all), and loved cereal above all other things. As he stretched and grew, Joel demonstrated sensitivity and depth that were surprising in one so young. These were traits he would exhibit the remainder of his days. Yet he had a warrior spirit, too, and believed he had been a soldier in a past life. Perhaps it is no surprise then that when he took the field in his game of choice—lacrosse—his teammates called him "The Red Baron" and his coach, "The Terminator."
Joel made friends easily, and having made them, rarely lost them. Many have been a part of his life—and he of theirs—since kindergarten. Joel cared deeply for his friends—perhaps more than he sometimes cared for himself—and they sought him out to sit, to listen and to talk. During the past two years, Joel had struggled valiantly to understand and cope with the death of his beloved older brother Jared in November 2009, a loss which marked him deeply. His family struggled along with him, loving him unconditionally all the while.
In addition to his older brother Jared, Joel was preceded in death by his grandfather Robert P. Brake, Sr. his grandfather, Edward E. Young, his uncle William E. Young and his grandmother Shirley J. Brake. Joel is survived by his mother Patricia A. Young Brown and step-father Gregory W. Brown, his father Timothy E. Young, his brothers Nicholas E. Young and Drew G. Brown, grandmother Arlene Young, a very large and loving extended family of uncles, aunts and cousins, and a legion of dear friends. He was an adored son, a treasured brother, a cherished friend. We cannot imagine he has gone, and we will miss and love him forever.

Visitation will be on Thursday, February 2 from 4 pm to 7 pm at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home 3125 North Lamar. Joel will be buried next to his brother at Austin Memorial Park in a private family ceremony on Friday, February 3.
A memorial celebration of Joel's life will be held at Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road, at 2 pm, Sunday, February 12. Memorial contributions may be made to Lifeworks, 3700 S 1st St Austin, TX 78704.