John Russell Younger

John R. Younger (1935-2026) passed away on August 21, 2026. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Clare Champion, son-in-law, Chris Champion, and his grandchildren, Leland and John Champion. He is preceded in death by his wife of nearly fifty-four years, Jessica Moore Younger, his parents, The Reverend John Travis Younger and Mary Russell Younger, and his sisters, Irene Younger Dunford and Pauline Younger Phillips. John was born and raised in Nashville, TN. He attended Montgomery Bell Academy and graduated from Litton High School. He earned his B.S. from Middle Tennessee State University and his M.A. in Mathematics and Educational Administration from George Peabody College.

John dedicated his career to education in Nashville. He began his career teaching and coaching at Hillsboro High School and Litton High School before moving into administrative roles as the assistant principal at Highlight Heights Middle School and later the principal at Bellevue High School. After his move into the central office with Metro Nashville Public Schools, John served as the Supervisor of Mathematics, then the Director of Employee Relations, next the Assistant Superintendent for Business Services, and finally the Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services. He retired from MNPS in 1992, after handing his daughter and her classmates at Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet their high school diplomas.

After his retirement from MNPS, he returned to work as first the Director of Business and Finance at Franklin Road Academy, and was later named the Headmaster at FRA. He retired from that position in 2001. Though he was not someone who sought recognition for his work, his peers chose to highlight his contributions to education numerous times. Governor Ned Ray McWherter awarded him with the Tennessee’s Outstanding Achievement Award in 1992. He also received the Distinguished Service Award and Life Membership Award from the Tennessee Association of School Business Officials. He was active with the Tennessee Teachers Credit Union as well as Christ Church Cathedral, the PENCIL Foundation, and was the past president of the Tennessee Association of School Business Officials. On March 27, 2001, U.S. Rep. Bob Clement, a former student of his at Hillsboro High School, spoke on the House floor to honor Mr. Younger. He concluded his words by describing his life as “one of joy, humility, faith, friendship, and truth.” //Apart from these achievements and accolades, and the numerous roles he held, perhaps the name he valued most was “Granddaddy.” He was his happiest on the golf course with friends, looking at the ocean with a drink in hand, traveling with Jessica, or most anywhere with his family. He knew how to fix most anything, always had a good story to tell, and knew that the time to put down grass seed was around the Tennessee – Florida football game. He was steadfast and calm. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be at Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville, on September 5th, from 10-11am with service to follow at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Christ Church Cathedral, Alive Hospice, or The Ensworth School.