‘A void in our family’: Kansas City musician and father Alan Young Jr. dies at 32

Alan Young Jr. grew up in a tight-knit family where he learned many things from those around him.

He learned the construction trade from his father and gardening from his mother. No matter the lesson that was being taught to him, the underlying message was simple: to serve and help however he could.

At an early age, Young discovering a love for music. He turned his concentration to becoming the best musician possible and to using his art to help people. As his talents developed, his smooth guitar and soulful voice made performances stand out from other solo acts. Young performed around the Kansas City area at public events and venues such as the Olathe Public Library.

Fusing elements of soul, funk, R&B, rock and hip-hop made Young’s musical skills a distinct departure from some of the soulless and superficial music blasted on the radio waves.

Unfortunately, Young’s dreams of seeing his music touch the lives of the masses would not be realized. Young, a Kansas City native and a father, died Nov. 23 at the age of 32. He was the victim of a homicide at 3700 block of E. 56th Street that still under investigation by police.

His father, Alan Young Sr never dreamed that his firstborn son (known to family and friends as AJ), would fall victim to another senseless act of the violence that has plagued Kansas City.

The 59-year-old urban farmer is still trying to make sense of the sudden shift in reality that his son and namesake is no longer here.

“There are still moments I can’t believe he is gone and I won’t get to see him again for the rest of my lifetime,” says Young Sr. “Those moments become very difficult. We have a void in our family, and we will never become a complete unit again. No matter how often we come together, that void will be felt.”

With 2022 concluding and over 160 homicides in Kansas City, the Young family hopes that answers to their family member’s death will come to light. In the meantime, the family struggles to adjust to life without someone all being remembered as kind and caring.

“To think his life would be taken by someone who didn’t know the value of life is angering to me, and I am upset about that. I hope the authorities will bring to justice whoever did that,” says Young Sr.

A musician and a father

Young Jr was the second-born child to his parents and grew up in the Ivanhoe neighborhood. He would spend teenage years in St Louis, Missouri where he would graduate from Normandy High school. In addition to his work in construction and bricklaying for the family businesses of Young Construction.

he will be remembered as a talented singer, songwriter, and musician. His older sister Alana Henry reflects her brother’s dedication to his music and how he used his talents to help others.

“AJ was a giver. He was a free-spirited individual who was exceptionally talented. He would lend and share his talents in whatever way,” says Henry. “He played the guitar, bass, piano, and harmonica and was completely self-taught.”

Henry, much like the rest of the family, is still in shock over the loss of her younger brother. However, after Young Jr’s passing, she began to receive an outpouring of messages from people who knew her brother and were touched by his life.

“The situation really is a tragedy, but we are so appreciative of all the condolences we have received from the people throughout Kansas City, so that has been comforting. He really cared about people,” she says.

One of the most heartbreaking factors for the Young family will be explaining the loss of Young Jr to his six-year-old son, Alan Young III (known to the family as Trey). Though music would be calling being a father is what made Young Jr happiest in life.

The Young family is resolute in ensuring that his son knows the caring and loving person his father was.

“He loved his son dearly. The times we saw his face light up the most was when he was with his son. We are committed to making sure that when Trey gets older, we will be able to show him pictures and videos and make sure he knows who his father was,” says Young Sr.

Remembered by many

Funeral services for Young Jr were held Dec. 2, with a wide assortment of people gathered to pay their respects to a good friend and musician taken far too soon. The family reflected on the many stories about how Young Jr was always there and helpful to anyone in need.

Many people took to social media to share messages and stories celebrating the life of the father and musician.

“Saw AJ perform a couple times when I lived in KC. One of the few performers who ALWAYS had a smile on while on stage.”

“AJ was a good friend and positive motivator. He will be missed.”

“Forever in my heart and mind, I feel blessed to have been a part of your life, although it was too short a chapter we were given, fly high on angels wings.”

“I am very sad to see this. I met AJ at the Olathe Library a couple of years ago when he performed there.”

For his older sister, the loss of her brother marks another dark day in the community her family has strived to serve. She hopes with time, people will unite and try to live like her brother did, helping people whenever he was able and finding something they are passionate about that they can dedicate themselves to completely.

“When you lose someone in this manner it can be tough to reconcile that. A life cut short because AJ had a lot of years ahead of him. As a musician and as a father but he didn’t get that opportunity. I think it really serves as a lesson to value and appreciate the present because time is precious,” says Henry.

Young is survived by his son Alan A. Young III, his parents Alan and Yolanda Young, and siblings: Alana Henry, Aaron Young, and Alexander Young. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

Other Remembrances

Kendrick Ardoin

Kendrick Ardoin, truck driver and father died Nov. 24. He was 45.

Ardoin was born on March 10, 1977, to Joseph and Karol Ardoin in Los Angeles, California. Coming from a family highly involved in church, Ardoin was remembered as being a very smart child. As he got older he would find a deep love for the sport of football. He would play the sport throughout high school for Jefferson Highschool in his home state of California.

After high school, Ardoin would lose both of his parents at a young age. This loss led him to move around a great deal to find himself. In time he would find himself serving as a cook for an oil field in North Dakota. After a few years of cooking for the oil workers, Ardoin would change his career to working in the field alongside the men he once served meals to. After several years he moved to Texas to pursue work at another oil field and would continue in that field until changing his occupation to a truck driver for the remainder of his life.

In 2009 Ardoin welcomed his first born child into the world. In 2015 he met the love of his life Keesha Odum who he would spend his remaining years assisting in the raising of her children.

He is survived by his daughter Breaon Ardoin. Sister LaTaundra Ardoin-Smith, along with a host of nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones.

Noah Kirkwood Jr.

Noah Kirkwood Jr, veterain and father died Nov. 25. He was 90.

Kirkwood was born March 11, 1932, to Noah Sr and Inez Kirkwood in Kansas City, Kansas. He was the second bord of their children. Kirkwood would attend Sumner High School.

After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy to serve his country. Shortly after enlisting the Korean conflict began, which meant deployment over seas in a hostile area. He would start the first three tours of duty in 1951 on the USS Blue. He would find himself in foreign lands such as the Philippines, Japan, and China to name a few.

In his time with the Navy, he was awarded various Campaign ribbons such as the Navy Occupation, National Defense, Korean Service, United Nations and China Service.

After his service ended in 1954, he enrolled in Kansas City Kansas Community College, earning an associate’s degree in 1956. After completing his initial degree, he attended Pittsburg State College and received his bachelor of science degree in education.

In 1959 he met Virginia Owens, who he would marry that same year. The couple had two children. Kirkwood would work for the Social Security Administration in various capacities throughout his career. After working for 25 years at the organization, Kirkwood would retire and spend much of his free time serving the community through his work through various service organizations.

He is survived by his son, Eric Uriel Kirkwood; his stepsister, Vedrene Henderson; his former wife, Virginia Kirkwood; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.