Mr. Terrence James Young, 43, was a dedicated journalist, a brilliant freelance writer, and a culture sponge. After a long battle with addiction, he died peacefully on January 2, 2015 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dallas, TX.
From a young age, Terrence was an adventurous soul. Born on April 3, 1971 to Douglas Young, a traveling salesman, and Debra Young, a motivational speaker, he had lived in seven states throughout the southwest before he was 10 years old. A footloose wanderer by nature, Terrence dropped out of high school at age 16 and travelled to Tibet, where he eventually landed a freelance writing job assisting an American correspondent. His career in writing skyrocketed over the next 25 years as he published articles in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and National Geographic.
Fascinated by every culture he encountered, Terrence threw himself into new experiences whole-heartedly. After intense meditation and several years spent in a monastery, Terrence became a practicing Zen Buddhist, and his quiet, compassionate spirituality colored his perspective for the rest of his life. He was a risk-taker, who alternately climbed parts of the Matador and also spent time reporting on food, famine, oppression, war, dance, and music. His life was a lens for his writing, and he could make any subject exciting.
Terrence also suffered from addiction, a disease he struggled with for many years. While he was unable to overcome that battle, he was a fierce and persistent fighter who lived every day of his life as fully as he could. He is survived by his parents and younger brother, Lyle.
Private funeral services will be held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on January 10, 2015. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Alcoholics Anonymous.
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