Joel Wendell Young

September 15, 1944-April 23, 2025

Joel Wendell Young, 80, of Midland, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by the loves of his life, his wife, two daughters, and his dog Bella.

Joel was born on September 15, 1944, in Britton, South Dakota, to Jane Elnor Young and Joel E. Young. In 1962, he proudly joined the U.S. Army as a tank mechanic. After his military service, Joel began his law enforcement career with the Clovis, New Mexico Police Department, serving from 1965 to 1968.

In 1968, Joel married the love of his life, Patricia Billings. That same year, Joel joined the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Academy. After graduation, he was stationed in Muleshoe, Texas, as a highway patrolman. He was later promoted to Criminal Intelligence Agent in McAllen, Texas. While stationed in McAllen, he was nominated to attend the prestigious 120th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, graduating in 1980, a remarkable achievement in his law enforcement career.

After a distinguished law enforcement career spanning over three decades,

Joel ultimately retired from Midland DPS as a Lieutenant with the Criminal Intelligence Division.

Following his retirement from DPS in 1996, Joel continued to embrace new adventures, including working with the United Nations in Bosnia, serving in corporate security, working for the Ector County DA’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office as an investigator and a bailiff at the Midland County Courthouse.

Joel was known for his light-hearted spirit, his endless jokes and pranks, often poking fun at his missing finger or his prosthetic eye. He always saw the bright side of life. He loved traveling with Pat, especially on cruises and Harley-Davidson road trips. He was a member of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. He had a special passion for his red Corvettes and enjoyed being a member of the Permian Basin Corvette Club. Joel enjoyed cooking, researching his family lineage, cheering on the Dallas Cowboys, and celebrating his Texas Rangers’ World Series championship. A talented woodworker, he crafted treasured pieces like a rocking horse and cradle that have cradled his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On most days, Joel could be found tinkering with his pool, always embracing the motto: “Jack of all trades, master of none.”

Joel is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Pat Young; his two daughters, Dondi Moran of McKinney, Texas, and Joeli Young of Midland, Texas; three granddaughters, Jaylee (Landon) Carpenter, Kylee (Eoin) Magee, and Lexee Moran; and four great-grandchildren, Kinsley and Lainey Carpenter and Everlee and James Magee. He is also survived by his siblings, Dixie (Travis) Johnson, Jarvis Young and brother-in-law Mike (Phyllis) Billings, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and his beloved German Shorthair Pointer Bella.

Joel was preceded in death by his parents Joel and Elnor Young and his brother-in-law Brent Bateman.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on April 30, 2025, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel in Midland, Texas. Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel, with burial to follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Travis Johnson, Wesley Waller, Lance Bateman, Jim Burdette, Mike McLaughlin, Louis Cardinal, Chanse Billings, and Mike Billings.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Eye on Grace Foundation at

https://eyeongracefoundation.net

or mailed to

Eye on Grace Foundation

2174 Springwood Dr.

Auburn, AL 36830

Joel’s humor, love for life, and deep devotion to his family and friends will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Joel Wendell Young, please visit our Tribute Store.