Matthew Keith Young

Matthew Keith Young age 68, of Ringgold, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Born in Dayton, Tennessee, Matthew lived a life marked by devotion to God, commitment to his family, and faithful service to his country.
As a young man, Matthew attended First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and a longtime member of Cross Connection Church in Chickamauga, Georgia. Matthew's faith was not merely something he professed—it was something he lived. He loved sharing his testimony with others and boldly proclaimed the hope he found in Christ. He exemplified the courageous faith that Christians are called to display and lived each day with the assurance that he was prepared for the Lord's return. His compassion for others was evident in the way he served his community, including visiting nursing homes on Sunday mornings before church and volunteering with Royal Rangers, to invest in the lives of young people.
Matthew proudly served in the United States Navy for twenty-two years. While stationed in Meridian, Mississippi, he met the love of his life, Janice Massingale Young. They married in 1980 and shared a devoted and loving marriage. During his Navy career, Matthew served aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) aircraft carrier. His service took him around the world, including Egypt, Italy, Greece, and Israel. He also served in Cuba and Alaska, embracing every opportunity to serve his country with honor and dedication. After completing his enlistment, Matthew settled in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area and continued his military service through the Navy Seabee Reserves. In 1990, he was activated to serve during Operation Desert Storm, once again answering his nation's call before retiring after twenty-two years of honorable service.
Outside of his military and church service, Matthew enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies and interests. He loved riding motorcycles and spending time working on automobiles, including restoring a cherished 1966 Ford Mustang, with the help of his wife. He was also a train enthusiast, proudly caring for and expanding a train collection that had been passed down from his grandfather. Music brought him great joy, and he loved singing and playing the harmonica whenever he had the opportunity.
Perhaps most of all, Matthew loved people. He never met a stranger and had a remarkable ability to strike up conversations and make others feel welcome. Matthew will be remembered as a faithful Christian, devoted husband, father and grandfather, proud Navy veteran, and loving friend. While his absence is deeply felt, those who knew Matthew find comfort in the promise he firmly believed: that through faith in Jesus Christ, death is not the end, but the beginning of eternal life with his Lord and Savior. His life was a testimony to God's grace and love.
Matthew is preceded in death by his parents Harold A. Young and Ruth Mulvey Young.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Janice Massingale Young; their children, Zac (Jill) Young, Holly (Johnny) Ferguson, and Jessica (Brandon) Kelly; three sisters, three brothers, as well as nine grandchildren, one great granddaughter, and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
A celebration of life will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Cross Connection Church in Chickamauga, Georgia. An online guestbook is available at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Homes Wallis – Stewart Chapel, Ringgold, Georgia.