Stillman Ralph Young
"Padre" Honorary Director

Few, if any, have had the positive role model influence of Stillman Ralph Young. Ralph has blazed the trail of life with virtues for countless young men. Born July 9th, 1924 in Buchannon, WV he started his Boy Scout pilgrimage, soon to become a life long pursuit, in Troop 127 at the First Baptist Church in Buchannon. From 1942 to 1946 Ralph served his country and the War effort in the Army in the 143`d AAA Medical Detach
ment.

On August 18'' 1946 Ralph made perhaps the most positive step of his entire life by marrying Martha Jane Strader. Through out their married life she was a wonderful help mate to him and a warm ray of sweet feminine sunshine for many years in the all male world of Old Kia Kima. In 1946 Ralph and Martha Jane moved to Memphis TN so he could attend the Southern College of Optometry. He later changed to what is now the University of Memphis and graduated in 1952 with a major in Biology and Industrial arts.

While in Memphis Ralph reentered Scouting in 1947 as the Scoutmaster of Troop 35 at the Highland Heights Presbyterian Church. In 1948 he earned the rank of Eagle. Early on in his Scouting career Ralph proved to be a leader and motivator of young men. This was soon evidenced by the fact that many of his Troop 35 Scouts followed him in that same character- building journey to coveted rank of Eagle. In 1952 Ralph entered professional Scouting with the Chickasaw Council. Until 1976 he worked with the Council in many different capacities. He worked with the Order of The Arrow as the lodge area advisor and served as the professional regional advisor. He served on the National Jamboree staff as the Assistant Sub Camp Program Director in 1954 and 1957.

Ralph Young worked as the Boy Scout Professional from 1954 to 1976 with Kamp Kia Kima. He served as the Camp Director of Old Kamp Kia Kima from 1954 to 1963. During his tenure as Camp Director "Padre" was an able leader and positive role model to thousands of young men during their stay, "High Above the South Forks Waters." Ralph had a very large part in laying out and setting up the new Kia Kima Scout Reservation in 1964. The Old Kia Kima Preservation Association has had very few individuals as actively involved in its restoration. At every work party, board meeting and reunion, except when hindered by poor health, Ralph has been among the very first to arrive and the last to leave. OKKPA is indeed blessed and honored to have Stillman Ralph Young as an Honorary member of the Board of Directors.

In 1976 Ralph, Martha Jane and their youngest daughter Patricia moved to Hot Springs, AR for him to become the Chief Scout Executive of the Ouchita Boy Scout Council. He later retired from professional Scouting in Hot Springs in 1984. Ralph is the proud father of two Eagle Scouts Terry and Larry Young and the grandfather of Eagle Scout Joseph Gunter. It has been said that, "A boy is a bank where you may deposit your most precious treasures, the hard won wisdom and the dreams of a better world." Who in this world could possibly calculate the value of the untold numbers of such deposits that Ralph has placed in the hearts and minds of thousands of young men?

John Hurt

June 6, 2002
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