Eugene Shelton Young, age 74 of Columbia, passed away Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at TJ Samson Hospital in Glasgow. He was born October 20, 1947 in Marion County to the late Eugene and Nancy Young. Shelton was a veteran with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and was a part of the Weather Division. He was a police officer for 37 years; 32 of those he served with the Lebanon Police Department. Shelton was the Chief of Police with the Lebanon Police Department from 2000-2010 until he retired. After military service, Shelton managed a home for foster children near Columbia, SC called "Welcome Home" for several years.  He moved back to Kentucky and began his career in law enforcement.

He was the D.A.R.E. instructor for 5th Grade in the Marion County School System for years and so many young people have wonderful memories of Sgt. Young in that role.  Later, after D.A.R.E. funding ending, he personally petitioned various government leaders in Frankfort to fund the School Resource Officer Program and personally guided that program in Marion County.

Shelton was huge supporter of the 4-H program.  He judged hundreds of hours of 4-H speeches and was an adult leader at least 20 Summer Camps, sometimes with his own grandchildren in attendance.

Shelton's love for children extended to his love for the outdoors.  He began The Kid's Fishing Derby with The Marion County Sportsman's Club and the event was popular for a decade.  He and his best friend and fishing partner, John Grundy, founded the Mid-KY Bass Anglers Club in 1996 and had their 26th awards banquet this past November.  Shelton's love for the outdoors is widely known, as he took over writing the Woods & Waters article for The Lebanon Enterprise after the passing of Cecil Gorley.  Shelton wrote the article for over 20 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Nancy Young.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Julie Young; children, Troy W. (Donna) Young, Toby E. (Ann) Young, and Traci (Woody) Sharpe, all of Columbia; sister, Kathy (David) Clem of Bedford, KY; grandchildren, Miller, Maggie, Audrey, Sadie, and Silas Young, Beth, Ashley, and James Owens, and Tate and Anna Beth Sharpe; nephews, Michael (Harriet) Farr, and John (Tabitha) Farr, both of Charleston, SC; long-time best friend, John (Juanita) Grundy; also surviving are multiple cousins, family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Bosley Funeral Home with Rev. David Kemp officiating. Memorial visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Friday, February 11, 2022 at Bosley Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rae Of Sunshine Foundation, Working the Puzzle for Autism or the Alzheimer's Association. Information may be obtained at the funeral home.