Good Friday afternoon usually finds me taking time off and trying to find some time to contemplate how things are going in my life. However, the Almighty had a special event for me last Friday afternoon—David Young’s exceptional funeral service.
As a student of family history, I have read a lot of obituaries. I always felt that Dave’s family was close. But I had to chuckle while flying out to Phoenix and reading this very irreverent line in David Young’s obituary that only a close-knit family would approve:
“David was the president and founding member of the Know-It-All Club.”
It is so true. Dave’s phone calls with me normally started with, “Chip, do you have a few minutes to talk about an important matter?” The calls usually lasted for an hour. Facts of a loss were only part of the discussion because Dave always wanted to quiz me on the law. Invariably, he would say something that would cause me to ask if he could send me a case, bulletin, or insurance policy form that I was not aware of. He would then call a week later to continue the discussion and to make certain I fully understood the importance of whatever he sent.
David Young was a proud husband and father. His wife, Rae Young, and daughter Alice Young are accomplished public adjusters. I consider them experts regarding contents losses. If a public adjuster studies personal property insurance claims rules and fully adjusts the fine details of the contents portion of a property insurance claim, I can guarantee you the fine details of the real property loss will not be missed by that public adjuster. Many public adjusters pay lip service to the contents loss. Not the Youngs.
The Young family members and friends who spoke at the funeral service were amazing. When the church service was over, I looked at public adjuster Justin Skipton and said, “This may sound weird, but that might have been the most enlightening and uplifting funeral service I have been to.” His response was, “Me too.”
I truly felt like David was inspiring and teaching us from the hereinafter. David Skipton, Mike Poli, Lawrence Moon, and I all toasted David and talked about his funeral service. While we all touch each other while we are alive, David managed to do so after he left this earth.
I would encourage others to read David Young’s obituary. David was an excellent public adjuster. He obtained both Certified Professional Public Adjuster (CPPA) and Senior Professional Public Adjuster (SPPA) certifications. In addition, he served the profession by being on the Board of the Rocky Mountain Association of Public Insurance Adjusters and as the President.
I am certain he was an even better husband and father.
Thought For The Day
Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours.
—Yogi Berra