TOM CASPER YOUNG, age 68, a resident of Grapevine, Texas for 20 years, died Thursday, February 5, 2015 at the VA Medical Center in Dallas. Born July 9, 1946 in Wichita, Kansas, he was the son of Jack Seymour Young and Josephine Lucille Fallot Young. Tom (Casper) Young recently retired from Envoy (formerly American Eagle Airlines) after more than 25 years. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War aboard the USS America, an aircraft carrier. He was a Service Officer of American Legion Riders Post 135. He was a Patriot Guard Rider and was proud to honor his fellow veterans. On one particular ride, Casper was a motorcycle escort for handicapped soldiers who rode specially modified bikes from San Antonio to Arlington. He escorted the Waco to Arlington leg. His favorite things were riding his motorcycle, riding his bicycle, walking, and talking to people. A good friend has the following memories: Everyone knew CASPER, but there are not a whole lot of folks in Grapevine, Texas, who knew Tom Young. Tom was a very dear friend. He was quiet, unless you got him going, then watch out he did love to talk. When asked where he got the nickname, CASPER, he said many years ago a bunch of guys were messing around and decided to come up with nicknames for each other. Because he was quiet and could easily slip into and out of a room without being noticed, CASPER stuck he was as quiet as a ghost. He loved his nickname as was evidenced by the ghost pins he wore on his vest. I found him some Casper socks at Halloween and brought them to him. They had bright green and black stripes with orange toes and a large white Ghost in a black circle on the side. When he saw them, he laughed and said Id wear those. And he did. His favorite place on Friday nights was Willhoites. Most Fridays (and some Saturdays) you would find him enjoying a good conversation with friends and a glass of sweet tea. Everyone knew what he was drinking even the waitstaff. When they saw him coming, they would have a glass ready, sometimes before he sat down, even if he came strolling in with a giant Cappacino in his hand. He thoroughly enjoyed art. Many times he would drop by the Grapevine Fine Arts Foundry just to browse, enjoy the artwork, see what was going on and visit. We once went to the University of Texas in Arlington on Parents Day to watch the students do their glass blowing and bronze pourings. He truly loved that! He would tell you that he didnt know very many people, but very frequently, while sitting in Willhoites on a Friday having a conversation with him, someone would stop by just to say Hi. They may have spotted him from across the room and just had to come by and shake his hand. It would bring the biggest smile to his face. Just recently when he was in Baylor Hospital in Grapevine, he and I were strolling around the 5th floor just getting exercise and seeing the sights. We made it over to the other side of the building and there was a man in the same hospital gown as Casper. We nodded as we passed. Then the man stopped and said Hey, dont you ride a motorcycle Well yes. Casper replied. And the man said I know you you go to Wilhoites! I dont think he went anywhere that he didnt see someone he knew. He was dedicated to helping others. If you needed help, he would do what he could to help out. He often made the annual Toy Drive around Christmas. There were many times he rode with the Patriot Guard to escort one of his fallen brothers to their final resting place. He was active with the Patriot Guard in fact his picture was on the front page of the Flower Mound Newspaper one Memorial Day years ago. He was there with the Patriot Guard for the festivities and the picture was perfect for snapping. He loved Rocky, his cockatiel. He had Rocky for the last 8-9 years and they became close companions over the years. He loved his motorcycle. It was his only form, and favorite form, of transportation. The weather didnt make any difference, either he was on the bike or on foot. He enjoyed walking around Grapevine browsing the shops and making friends everywhere he went. He was so excited when he got a new motorcycle last year, he could hardly stand it. He enjoyed shopping for a new one and the thrill of driving it home. He loved his houseplants. He had quite a few. We would talk about different plants and even trade cuttings so we could each try out a new plant. He was very patriotic. He loved his country and even though hes been out of the service for many years, he still felt the connection and felt that all those in the military were his brothers and sisters. Rest in Peace, Casper. Tom is survived by his sisters, Cathy Wirz of Denton, Susanne Sorrell and husband Jerry of Irving, and Louann Lucas and husband Ernie of Lake Dallas; brother, John Young and wife Sabrina of Lewisville; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation is 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home, 606 West Airport Freeway in Irving. Service is 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 10 in Pavilion C at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway in Dallas.