Political activist Young dead

Hank Young, a charismatic local businessman who challenged local leaders to improve conditions for Albany’s working class for more than three decades, died Friday, officials say.

While obituary information isn’t complete, Meadows Funeral Home says arrangements have been made for Saturday at 11 a.m. at 2nd Mt. Zion Church on Old Pretoria Road.

Young, a local Realtor and businessman, thrust himself into the local political scene beginning in 1973 when he attempted to win a seat at the Georgia House of Representatives vacated by Billy Lee. Charles Hatcher would end up winning the seat in a runoff that year.

Over the next three decades, Young would attempt to earn seats that would eventually be held by John White and Winfred Dukes on the state level and Jeff Sinyard at the county level.

Monday, Sinyard recounted Young as a person with a penchant for taking complex social and political issues and working towards change for the common good.

“Hank traveled a long road in so many different ways in our community,” Sinyard said. “Regardless of what he encountered, he always engaged people in the same way — with a smile, a handshake and the hope of prosperity.”

County Commissioner Gloria Gaines, who said that she sat on a panel with Young less than 36 hours before his death and who first met the man when he was fresh out of the Air Force in 1968, described Young as person with an unyielding spirit who understood Albany in way that few did.

“Serving by being elected is one thing, but being involved in the community and moving it forward from that perspective is something that is to be applauded,” Gaines said. “He had a way with people that resonated no matter who was the audience.”

Young also was active in the local NAACP branch where, in 1985, he challenged the results of the group’s election of officers, prompting the national branch to order another election, in which he lost the top spot to William Wright.

Young was an active member of his church and remained active in his community. He sat on the board of Ritz Cultural Center and served a mentor to youth and would occasionally submit columns to the Herald offering his view on various political and social news of the day.

State Rep. Carol Fullerton said that Young is to be commended for his tenacity in his desire to serve the public and to better his community.

“He and his family worked for years to improve conditions for the people of Albany and Dougherty County,” Fullerton said. “His death is a shock to me and a tragedy for the community.”