Jacklyn Joy (Goodroe) Young

Jacklyn Joy Goodroe Young, 85, of Plano, Texas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Jackie was born in Houston on January 31, 1941. She was the daughter of Edward Goodroe and Johnnie Lee Gillenwater Goodroe.

Jackie graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Austin Prentiss Young III. Over more than 20 years of marriage, Jackie and Austin raised two children, traveled, and shared interests in reading, the arts, and hot air ballooning. Jackie particularly cherished the three years the family lived in Darien, Connecticut where she enjoyed playing tennis at the beach, visiting museums and historical sites, and going to New York City for shopping and Broadway shows.

Jackie made her career as an executive assistant and administrator. Her first job was with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Austin, where she developed a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife.

In Houston, Jackie was introduced to the sport of hot air ballooning and she soon earned her commercial pilot’s license. Jackie found a family of friends in the ballooning community and traveled around the country for events, including the opening ceremonies for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. She flew commercial passengers, served as ground crew for other pilots, worked for Cameron Balloons in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was secretary to the President of the Balloon Federation of America.

Later in her career, Jackie’s work took her to oil refineries from Texas to Pennsylvania and Alaska in positions with M.W. Kellogg/Mobil Oil (now KBR) and JMJ Associates. Jackie retired from the City of Sherman after moving there to be closer to her grandchildren.

Throughout Jackie’s entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those around her. In Houston she attended several Baptist churches, singing in the choir and playing piano. She was involved in Sunday school, bible study, vacation bible school and a wide range of social events. She served as a board member of the First United Methodist Church in Sherman. Jackie was a member of Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano and regularly attended Sunday school with her son, Adam, at First Baptist Church of Allen. After retiring, Jackie loved to spend her mornings reading her bible, praying and attending several bible study groups. She would research and make so many notes in her bible, she would need a new one every few years.

Jackie was passionate about learning, reading and history. She participated in numerous book clubs and enjoyed visits to the library. She had a preference for historical fiction, particularly WWII era novels. She loved learning about history and was a volunteer historical documents transcriber for the Smithsonian Institute for several years.

Card games, domino games, bingo, and crossword puzzles were also among Jackie’s interests, specifically because they brought her together with friends.

In recent years, Jackie loved the bird feeders Adam and Connie kept outside her window. She kept a book by her side to identify her avian visitors. A particular squirrel, “Fatty Fat,” brought joy to her final days by emptying the bird feeder in record time.

Jackie’s mother named her Jacklyn Joy because she was the joy of her life. She has been the joy of many people’s lives and her light will continue to shine through us.

Jackie is survived by her children, Lisa Young Hollins and husband Fred, of Houston, and Adam Edward Young and wife, Connie, of Plano; grandchildren Ashton Young of Oklahoma City and Clayton Young of Crawford; brother Mark Goodroe and wife Susan of Clute; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will welcome friends for a visitation on Monday, April 13, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m., and a funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, April 14 at 2 p.m. at Allen Family Funeral Options. Interment will be at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jackie’s memory to Custer Road United Methodist Church or First Baptist Church of Allen. Jackie also loved and supported the following organizations: Samaritan’s Purse, KERA (North Texas public media organization), and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

A heartfelt thank you to the assisted living team at The Waterford of Plano and Holy Savior Hospice for the kindness, care and respect given to our loved one and our family.