Jay and Connie Young celebrate 70 years
LW ANNIVERSARY
Jay and Connie Young were married on July 25, 1953. They met at the University of Redlands in 1951, where they both attended college. Jay was a star basketball player and Connie was the head song girl and cheerleader. Jay says the success of their marriage can be attributed to Connie insisting they have a dance, hug, kiss, and a laugh every day.
After they completed their advanced college work at California State University Long Beach and Jay’s tour in the army during the Korean War, they each began their teaching careers and have 65 years of teaching experience between them. Jay taught and coached varsity basketball for 35 years at Warren High School in Downey and Connie taught 30 years of first and second grade in Seal Beach and Long Beach. Connie retired in 1990 and Jay in 1992.
Connie and Jay have traveled the world together and have taken their three motor homes to every state with their kids. They have been to 36 national and state parks, traveled to 62 countries and taken 18 cruises. Boating and water skiing were a big part of their lives, going to the Colorado River most holidays and Bass Lake and Lake Shasta during the summers. They have traveled the country playing bridge and both have achieved life master status.
Connie’s main interests have been music, dancing and playing piano since childhood. She also enjoys reading and is active in a local book club. She has learned to beach start on a water ski. She plays in a golf group with Jay. She loved acting in plays in high school and college.
Jay was big into volleyball and played on a team that won the 1961 National Championship. He was selected to play on a USA volleyball team in the Pan American Games, but had to pass because of coaching responsibilities. He played 18 years of beach volleyball and loved playing golf.
They have three children and six grandchildren, who plan to help celebrate Jay and Connie’s anniversary in a cabin at Big Bear Lake. They have lived in Seal Beach since 1959, including 13 years in Leisure World. Jay and Connie have been active in choir and Jay is the vice president of the Art League.
Jay and Connie Young
