Kwai Lum Young, 1926–2020

Kwai Lum Young (“Lum”), a resident of Meramec Bluffs in Ballwin, MO, passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at age 93.

Lum is preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Leong Young, his brother Walter Young, and his sisters Pat Cleary and Linnie Yee. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Mary Lou Young; sister, Nellie Young, his brother Sunny Young and sister Kammy Rose; children Lianne Hollander(Allen), Randy Young(Donna), Karen Young(Scott), Steven Young, and step–daughter Michelle Wilson(Scott); ten grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Lum was born December 15, 1926, and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. He graduated from Missouri Valley College (BA, Biology); University of Missouri/KC (DDS); and University of Missouri/Columbia (MS, Public Health).

He served as a Captain in the USAF from 1955 to 1957. Lum‘s dental practice was in Albany, Missouri, 1958 to 1979. After retirement from private practice, he was named Deputy Director, Bureau of Dental Health for Missouri, 1979–85, and Director for Division of Dental Health, Nebraska State Dept. of Health 1985–1992. After retiring in 1993, he and Mary Lou opened a free dental clinic with the Medical Mission for Christ Community Health Center in Camdenton, Missouri and practiced there from 2006 to 2013. After retiring again; Lum and his wife moved to Meramec Bluffs senior living community in Ballwin, Missouri.

Lum designed and implemented numerous dental health programs on both a national and state level; working with the CDC to develop fluoridation programs for Missouri and Nebraska rural communities; participated in Head Start review of schools for dental health programs; dental screenings with the Elks Mobile Dental Unit program, and volunteering with Missouri Mission of Mercy and other charitable programs. Lum received numerous professional awards, the Distinguished Service Award–MDA, Concerned and Caring Leadership Award–NDA; and Fellowships in the International College of Dentists and American College of Dentists. He was active in the Masons, and the Lake of the Ozarks Shrine Club (Rajah in 1997).

He will be interred at the Jefferson Barracks Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri after a private Masonic and military service. A celebration of his life will be held for him at Meramec Bluffs, Ballwin, Missouri when lifted. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Shriner‘s Children‘s Hospital in St. Louis or Benevolent Fund for Lutheran Senior Services, Meramec Bluffs, Ballwin, MO appreciated.