Obituary for Brian Youmans
Brian Macklin Youmans
October 4, 1976 - September4, 2023
Brian Macklin Youmans, 46, a resident of Plymouth, MA, passed away September 4, 2023, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham, MA. Brian was born October 4, 1976, in Savannah, GA. He was the youngest of four sons born to Donald Ray Youmans and Mercedes Norris Youmans. His paternal grandparents were Benjamin Macklin Youmans and Edith Anderson Youmans. His maternal grandparents were Mercer Elkins Norris and Hilda Tyson Norris. Brian was preceded in death by his mother and grandparents.
Brian was an outgoing, personable individual who lived his life as a free spirit and thought out of the box about many things in his life. He was his own man; often stubborn, hardheaded, and fiercely independent. He liked charting his own path, following it with serious determination. These characteristics had been part of Brian from childhood. His maternal great grandmother, Bessie Murph Anderson, aptly nicknamed him “Bulldog Youmans” and this name characterized his life until the day he passed.
Early in his childhood, it was apparent Brian was very musically inclined. He began playing guitar, writing lyrics and music, and performing his songs. Many hours were spent with his friends playing and singing music in garages and open-air carports.
Around age 14, Brian’s dream of forming his own band began to consume him and he started working to make it a reality. He left home and went to Athens, GA, where he made many like-minded friends and had the opportunity to come under their influence of several prominent and successful musicians and bands. His band, Trinket, was born in Athens and they played regularly at venues in Athens and Atlanta. Fans and other musicians found it hard to believe that this lead singer of Trinket was a teenager, and he was called a “boy wonder.” From 1988-1992, Brian and Trinket identified with many independent label recording artists and bands. In 1992, Trinket was signed by RCA. The band made several records which were aired across the U.S. and Canada. Some of Trinket’s music can be found on YouTube.
Eventually Brian moved to Nashville, TN. While living there, Brian formed the band Grant Park and there is much music and CDs from that era. Another move, this time to Massachusetts, led to the formation of the band, Needle Beach, which became a favorite in the Massachusetts musical scene.
In 1999, Brian began his more traditional working career. He had management skills and went into upper-level management for a number of companies. His work years were cut short by the formal diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis a month after his 40th birthday in 2016. His personality, drive, determination, and independent nature served him well on his MS journey. He developed a fighting spirit and a positive attitude. Brian became a strong advocate for himself as he fought his disease daily. Over the next couple of years, his body steadily declined, but he remained steadfast in his fight against the odds. One of the things that kept Brian going throughout his battle was his music. Through it, he found strength, encouragement, and comfort. The music played on until the day he passed.
Three of the brightest lights in his life were his three children: Isabella, Maddie, and Eli. He loved them with an all-encompassing love. He was proud of their accomplishments. He enjoyed seeing them grow and watching them blossom into who they have become. It bothered him that they had to endure this MS journey with him and to see him as he was, his body so devastated by MS. Yet, he was thankful for their being with him. He looked forward to their calls, texts, visits, and many expressions of love to him that helped him as he battled his illness.
While living in Falmouth, MA, Brian became involved with the North Falmouth Congregational Church. He loved the members of that congregation, and they welcomed him warmly. He attended regularly and had opportunities to sing and play in worship with them. When he moved to Hyannis for a short time and then on to Plymouth into his handicap accessible apartment, he went whenever he could to church but also became an internet worshipper every Sunday when he couldn’t physically make it.
Through the Congregational Church, he found a group of musicians called The Song Swap. Brian embraced them and found a great sense of belonging as they met and played music together. As his disease progressed and he could not regularly attend, he used his iPad and put together his songs with pictures and videos. He then sent them out to the members of the group under the name of The Song Circle Swap. Just before his passing, a message went out that The Song Circle was changing its name to The Song Circle Swap in respect for Brian’s friendship and great talent. After his passing, they held a celebration of life for Brian and dedicated that night to his memory.
Brian’s faith was personal to him. He found great support, prayers, and care from his friends at several churches - the North Falmouth Congregational Church; the Sandersville United Methodist Church, Sandersville, GA; the choir ministry family of Hendersonville United Methodist Church, Hendersonville, NC; and from the Tennille Methodist Church, Tennille, Ga, a church Brian has held dear in his heart with much love throughout his life. Brian was amazed at the churches, Sunday school classes, Bible study groups, and prayer warrior groups who gave him spiritual support throughout his MS journey. He often spoke of how he felt the power of people praying for him.
Brian is survived by his three children - Isabella “Mac” Virginia Youmans, Chicago, IL; Madeline “Maddie” Anderson Youmans, Falmouth, MA; and Elijah “Eli” Hawkins Youmans, Leavenworth, WA; his father, Donald R. Youmans, Tryon, NC; brothers, Donald Kevin Youmans (Cheryl), Greenville, SC; Jonathan Mercer Youmans (Jessica), Hendersonville, NC; Jason Ashley Youmans, Hendersonville, NC; uncle, Bob Youmans, Vashon, WA; aunt Patricia Norris Duffy, Savannah, GA; nieces and nephews, Carleigh Grace Youmans, Skylar Christian Youmans, Caleb Michael Youmans (Emily), Zander Grayson Youmans, Annalise Brooke Youmans, Jocelyn Mae Youmans, Jacob Andrew Youmans, Benjamin Mercer Youmans; and cousins, Ty Duffy (Amanda), Savannah, GA; Mary Ann Heath (G.O.), Savannah, GA; and Scott Youmans (Andrea), Bothell, WA.
The family thanks Amy, Courtney, Evelyn, Shelia, and Jeff for all you did in supporting Brian through his journey. Thanks to Robin Pellegrini and Jaime Barbieri, Brian’s PCA’s for the excellent care you gave him with his daily needs, for your compassion, and for your companionship. Thanks to all of you for being Brian’s friend and loving him as you did.
Brian’s last years fighting MS were very difficult. It took so much from him; yet he endured. He fought to the end and will always be remembered for his positive spirit. Perhaps his life can best be summed up through musical lyrics: “I got by with a little help from my friends” and the Sinatra song that says, “I did it my way”. And he did……well done!
October 4, 1976 - September4, 2023
Brian Macklin Youmans, 46, a resident of Plymouth, MA, passed away September 4, 2023, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham, MA. Brian was born October 4, 1976, in Savannah, GA. He was the youngest of four sons born to Donald Ray Youmans and Mercedes Norris Youmans. His paternal grandparents were Benjamin Macklin Youmans and Edith Anderson Youmans. His maternal grandparents were Mercer Elkins Norris and Hilda Tyson Norris. Brian was preceded in death by his mother and grandparents.
Brian was an outgoing, personable individual who lived his life as a free spirit and thought out of the box about many things in his life. He was his own man; often stubborn, hardheaded, and fiercely independent. He liked charting his own path, following it with serious determination. These characteristics had been part of Brian from childhood. His maternal great grandmother, Bessie Murph Anderson, aptly nicknamed him “Bulldog Youmans” and this name characterized his life until the day he passed.
Early in his childhood, it was apparent Brian was very musically inclined. He began playing guitar, writing lyrics and music, and performing his songs. Many hours were spent with his friends playing and singing music in garages and open-air carports.
Around age 14, Brian’s dream of forming his own band began to consume him and he started working to make it a reality. He left home and went to Athens, GA, where he made many like-minded friends and had the opportunity to come under their influence of several prominent and successful musicians and bands. His band, Trinket, was born in Athens and they played regularly at venues in Athens and Atlanta. Fans and other musicians found it hard to believe that this lead singer of Trinket was a teenager, and he was called a “boy wonder.” From 1988-1992, Brian and Trinket identified with many independent label recording artists and bands. In 1992, Trinket was signed by RCA. The band made several records which were aired across the U.S. and Canada. Some of Trinket’s music can be found on YouTube.
Eventually Brian moved to Nashville, TN. While living there, Brian formed the band Grant Park and there is much music and CDs from that era. Another move, this time to Massachusetts, led to the formation of the band, Needle Beach, which became a favorite in the Massachusetts musical scene.
In 1999, Brian began his more traditional working career. He had management skills and went into upper-level management for a number of companies. His work years were cut short by the formal diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis a month after his 40th birthday in 2016. His personality, drive, determination, and independent nature served him well on his MS journey. He developed a fighting spirit and a positive attitude. Brian became a strong advocate for himself as he fought his disease daily. Over the next couple of years, his body steadily declined, but he remained steadfast in his fight against the odds. One of the things that kept Brian going throughout his battle was his music. Through it, he found strength, encouragement, and comfort. The music played on until the day he passed.
Three of the brightest lights in his life were his three children: Isabella, Maddie, and Eli. He loved them with an all-encompassing love. He was proud of their accomplishments. He enjoyed seeing them grow and watching them blossom into who they have become. It bothered him that they had to endure this MS journey with him and to see him as he was, his body so devastated by MS. Yet, he was thankful for their being with him. He looked forward to their calls, texts, visits, and many expressions of love to him that helped him as he battled his illness.
While living in Falmouth, MA, Brian became involved with the North Falmouth Congregational Church. He loved the members of that congregation, and they welcomed him warmly. He attended regularly and had opportunities to sing and play in worship with them. When he moved to Hyannis for a short time and then on to Plymouth into his handicap accessible apartment, he went whenever he could to church but also became an internet worshipper every Sunday when he couldn’t physically make it.
Through the Congregational Church, he found a group of musicians called The Song Swap. Brian embraced them and found a great sense of belonging as they met and played music together. As his disease progressed and he could not regularly attend, he used his iPad and put together his songs with pictures and videos. He then sent them out to the members of the group under the name of The Song Circle Swap. Just before his passing, a message went out that The Song Circle was changing its name to The Song Circle Swap in respect for Brian’s friendship and great talent. After his passing, they held a celebration of life for Brian and dedicated that night to his memory.
Brian’s faith was personal to him. He found great support, prayers, and care from his friends at several churches - the North Falmouth Congregational Church; the Sandersville United Methodist Church, Sandersville, GA; the choir ministry family of Hendersonville United Methodist Church, Hendersonville, NC; and from the Tennille Methodist Church, Tennille, Ga, a church Brian has held dear in his heart with much love throughout his life. Brian was amazed at the churches, Sunday school classes, Bible study groups, and prayer warrior groups who gave him spiritual support throughout his MS journey. He often spoke of how he felt the power of people praying for him.
Brian is survived by his three children - Isabella “Mac” Virginia Youmans, Chicago, IL; Madeline “Maddie” Anderson Youmans, Falmouth, MA; and Elijah “Eli” Hawkins Youmans, Leavenworth, WA; his father, Donald R. Youmans, Tryon, NC; brothers, Donald Kevin Youmans (Cheryl), Greenville, SC; Jonathan Mercer Youmans (Jessica), Hendersonville, NC; Jason Ashley Youmans, Hendersonville, NC; uncle, Bob Youmans, Vashon, WA; aunt Patricia Norris Duffy, Savannah, GA; nieces and nephews, Carleigh Grace Youmans, Skylar Christian Youmans, Caleb Michael Youmans (Emily), Zander Grayson Youmans, Annalise Brooke Youmans, Jocelyn Mae Youmans, Jacob Andrew Youmans, Benjamin Mercer Youmans; and cousins, Ty Duffy (Amanda), Savannah, GA; Mary Ann Heath (G.O.), Savannah, GA; and Scott Youmans (Andrea), Bothell, WA.
The family thanks Amy, Courtney, Evelyn, Shelia, and Jeff for all you did in supporting Brian through his journey. Thanks to Robin Pellegrini and Jaime Barbieri, Brian’s PCA’s for the excellent care you gave him with his daily needs, for your compassion, and for your companionship. Thanks to all of you for being Brian’s friend and loving him as you did.
Brian’s last years fighting MS were very difficult. It took so much from him; yet he endured. He fought to the end and will always be remembered for his positive spirit. Perhaps his life can best be summed up through musical lyrics: “I got by with a little help from my friends” and the Sinatra song that says, “I did it my way”. And he did……well done!