Michael Seth Young

The life of Michael Seth Young was never meant to be a quiet story, whispered in the hushed tones of a standard memorial service. It is, instead, a bold and vibrant epic—a narrative characterized by sharp wit, a boundless capacity for love, and an unquenchable thirst for the next great adventure. Born on August 15, 1975, in Cullman, Alabama, Michael entered the world with a spirit that would eventually outgrow any single town, yet he always carried the warmth of his Oneonta roots with him. He was a man who didn’t just meet people; he collected them, weaving a massive tapestry of chosen family that spanned from the red clay of Alabama to the turquoise waters of Key West and the misty mountains of North Carolina. On May 6, 2026, Michael moved on to the next chapter of his storied life after a swift and fiercely fought war with cancer, a battle he met with the same tenacity he brought to everything else in his existence. Michael found his final peace at his beloved home, "The Ranch," in Mandeville, Louisiana, within the sanctuary of the "Little House"—a space he had lovingly curated to reflect his unique, eclectic, and unmistakably "Michael" sense of style. In his final moments, he was exactly where he wanted to be: surrounded by the warm embrace of his immediate family, a diverse and devoted group of two-legged, three-legged, and four-legged members.

To understand Michael, one had to understand his role as the ultimate storyteller—the kind of individual who could find the humor in the mundane and the profound in the inappropriate, often within the same breath. It was a gift forged in the quiet observations of a sensitive youth. His life was a series of vivid chapters, beginning with his formative years in Oneonta and Blount County. While he would later be known for his booming personality, as a young man he found his greatest solace in the natural beauty of the Alabama landscape. He spent countless hours exploring the historic covered bridges and wandering through Palisades Park, where the stillness of nature provided a refuge and a place for deep reflection. Michael was immensely proud of his graduation from Oneonta High School, an accomplishment that marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of a metamorphic journey toward authenticity. This search for his own true voice led him to Alabaster, Alabama, where he attended  Master’s Commission. It was here that Michael finally began to unfurl the vivid colors of his character, transforming the diffidence of his youth into a powerful, empathetic vulnerability. He discovered a deep calling for ministry, realizing that his own journey through the margins allowed him to reach others in a way few could. Michael’s tenure in full-time youth mentorship was marked by a rare and precious gift: he didn't pretend to have all the answers. Instead, he became a champion for the invisible and the forgotten, ensuring that every soul he encountered knew they were seen, valued, and loved.

As Michael’s journey progressed, he followed the road wherever his adventurous spirit led. He transitioned from mentorship to the practical, working as an electrician and managing property through H&Y Investments. He was never afraid of a career shift or a new challenge, viewing every role as an opportunity to add another layer to his life’s story. This fearlessness eventually led him to "The Key West Years," a decade-long chapter from 2009 to 2021 that perhaps best suited his singular personality. In Key West, Michael became a fixture of the community while working as a host at Big Ruby's Guesthouse. He was the heart of the "island vibe," lending his energy and passion to a diverse array of charitable organizations and embracing the eccentricity of the Florida Keys. It was during this sun-drenched era that he met Dina DiMartino, his constant sidekick, partner in crime, and the soulmate who would stand by him through every subsequent peak and valley. While Michael and Dina shared a lifetime’s worth of adventures across the South, Michael also fulfilled a deep personal ambition during this time with an illuminative trip to Europe. Standing in awe before the architectural majesty of Notre-Dame, he was moved by the intersection of history and faith—a moment that remained a highlight of his life and provided him with a new well of insights and tales to tell.

Michael was an intellectual alchemist who could seamlessly blend high-brow curiosity with a gritty, down-to-earth appreciation for the discarded. In 2025, driven by an endless desire to learn, he completed courses through Harvard University via edX, earning certificates in American Government and Constitutional Foundations. He was the kind of person who would dive headfirst into a spirited debate on constitutional law, absolutely certain he was right, yet possess the rare humility to recognize when he was wrong and the forgiving heart to move forward. This same man was an avid "dumpster-diver" and antiquer, possessing a visionary ability to see art within cast-off curiosities. He didn’t just collect old things; he reimagined them, giving new life to forgotten treasures with the same tenderness he showed to the unwanted animals he rescued.

Beyond his intellectual pursuits, Michael was a soul fueled by the energy of performance. He possessed an immense passion for live music of all genres, finding a unique joy in the shared experience of a concert crowd. Above all others, he was a lifelong and fervent devotee of Madonna; he admired her bold, transformative spirit and never missed an opportunity to celebrate her artistry. Whether he was traveling for a show or analyzing a setlist, music was the soundtrack to his Technicolor life. This same appetite for electric experiences translated into his pursuit of adrenaline; whether he was rappelling down a cliff, jumping out of a plane with a whole lot of faith in quality ripstop nylon, or ziplining down a mountainside, Michael lived for the rush. Yet, he was equally content in the quiet moments, binge-watching Netflix, fire-starting on Facebook to stir the pot, or savoring king cakes and cannoli.

His compassion was boundless and indiscriminate, extending to any being with feathers, fins, or fur. Michael’s love for animals was legendary—and occasionally dangerous. The tales of him attempting to befriend baby bears on two separate occasions are not mere myths; they are true testaments to a man who saw no boundaries between species. He advocated for the voiceless  and the vulnerable with a ferocity that was awe-inspiring. This protective instinct defined his home at "The Ranch," where he presided over his Furbaby Cuddle Squad: Vivian, Letty, Lindy, Hemingway, Paisley, and Mariel (as well as all of the local birds, squirrels, deer, possums, and raccoons). He believed that every life deserved a radiant light.

As Michael moves forward on this new journey, we imagine a joyous reunion with his best buddy and "son," Foster, along with his companions CoCo and Shadow. He joins a lineage of loved ones who went before him, including his grandparents Owen Wallace Johnson, Katie Lou Kaufman Johnson, James Edward Young, and Montie Underwood Young, as well as his cherished uncles and aunts Joel Ricky Johnson, David Eric Young, Charla Ann Johnson Sullivan, and Marcia Diane Young Gipson.

Michael Seth Young’s legacy is not one of dates or locations, but of imprints made on the souls of everyone he touched. He lived his life as if he were constantly drafting a masterpiece, adding a flourish of wit here, a sudden twist of adrenaline there, and always, always a deep undercurrent of love. He possessed an unmatched storytelling ability and a sense of humor that served as the shortest distance between two people, closing any gap with laughter. A man of strong convictions and an incandescent spirit, Michael was a formidable advocate and a magnetic presence who lifted others up regardless of their circumstances—or the number of legs they happened to have. Life with Michael was never dull, often unpredictable, and always memorable.

He leaves behind his soulmate and partner in life & all crimes, Dina DiMartino; his parents, James Ray Young and Valerie Johnson Young; his brother, Joel Bradley Young; his beloved furchildren: Vivian, Letty, Lindy, Hemingway, Paisley, & Mariel; and the legion of extended family and friends who gravitated to the blazing light he brought to this world, a light that burned twice  as bright and, unfortunately, for half as long as we would have wished. Michael’s final wishes were as unique as the life he lived. He chose cremation and asked that his ashes be spread or inurned across the multiple locales that held his heart, with celebrations of life in each of these special places. There, his friends and family can gather to weave together their story threads, forge new connections, and keep his fire burning brightly. Dates and locations will be announced at a later time.

For those who wish to honor him in a more tangible way, Michael’s family suggests contributing to Mardi Paws/Scott’s Wish or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital—organizations that reflect his lifelong commitment to compassion and advocacy.

Michael, go swiftly, go well, go surely. Our hearts are with you. There is no separation. 

With All Our Love, Always…

Dina, Mom, Dad, Brad, Crystal, Kiara, and Chuck