John Finley Younce

John Finley Younce, 72, of Seminole, FL, formerly of South Shore, KY, went to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, FL.  He was born August 16, 1948 in Warsaw, IN, a son of the late Ruth Addington Hildebrandt and Tom Younce, as well as stepfather Harry “Pop” Hildebrandt.

A McKell High School graduate in 1966, he excelled in all three sports, earning his greatest success on the football field. He continued his football career at Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Tennessee. He served in the U.S. Navy where he achieved a ranking of E5 first class petty officer (PO).  After serving in the military, John returned to Greenup County to become an assistant football coach while completing his undergraduate degree at Morehead State University. Mr. Younce started his teaching and coaching career at Greenup County High School in 1977, ushering the Musketeers to a state football championship. John’s career in the Greenup County School District spanned more than thirty years, including roles as a teacher, coach, principal, district administrator, and finally, superintendent. He was recognized as the Administrator of the Year by the Kentucky School Counselor Association and the Superintendent of the Year by Kentucky Educational Development Corporation.

Younce helped revive the American League Post 276 baseball program in 1991. As the head coach, he captured back-to-back state championships in 1995 and 1996. Following his retirement in 2008, John found a new passion as a championship golfer. He won numerous state and local titles, while competing on the national level for more than a decade. He was a two time gold medalist at the National Senior Olympics.  

He was a member of the First Christian Church in South Shore, KY, where he served as a Sunday school teacher for many years.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife Connie and his “Pop” Harry; two sons, Josh (Cheri) Younce of West Chicago, IL, and Judd (Alina) Younce of Arlington Heights, IL; three sisters Nita Spriggs of Lloyd, KY, Stephanie Redoutey of Port Charlotte, FL, and Vickey Younce of New Mexico; one granddaughter, Sydney Younce; one grandson, Jackson Finley Younce; as well as beloved extended family in Indiana, Tennessee, and Florida.

Visitation will be open to the public on Thursday, February 4th, 2021 from 2:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Morton-Hunt Family Funeral Home in South Shore, KY. As a result of state guidelines, face coverings and social distancing will be required. 

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 5th, 2021 (Morton-Hunt Family Funeral Home), with Brett Unger officiating.  Due to Covid-19 health concerns, this service will be limited to immediate family. Friday’s funeral service will be available for public viewing Friday at 9:30 A.M. Livestream at greenupbeacon.com. Burial will follow at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Northeast

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