Tony Young was a pillar of the Springfield community, and not just for the theater. He was diligent, encouraging, hilarious and hard-working. To many people, Tony was a role model, a mentor and a confidant.Â
Many people remember Tony because of his beautiful baritone. His voice was as captivating as his presence. He welcomed you in and would hold your attention just by being who he was. He was warm, inviting, generous, loving and encouraging. He had the gravitas of a leading man, but the heart of a gentle giant. He truly was a selfless leader, father, grandfather and husband.Â
“My dad was loving and respecting of all arts and people. He was a huge family man and everyone’s biggest support system. People he’d just met he considered family and welcomed them to the dinner table. So much so that the man we would have work on our cars ate with us on Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Tony’s daughter, Amber Young-Phillips.Â
“He was so humble and loved what he did, but never wanted the spotlight. He would give every dime he had to anyone standing on corners or in front of stores because he said it could be any one of us at any time. His laugh was contagious – his voice was demanding but gentle at the same time. He made sure every woman he came in contact with felt safe and would even walk them to their cars. He gave his all in everything,” she said.
Tony shared himself with strangers and loved ones in a very intimate way. That was one of his superpowers. He welcomed you in with such consideration, humor and warmth. He faced life head on and saw things for who and what they were, and he’d let you know who he was after a while, too.
I feel grateful to have worked with Tony one last time this past year. I had him in mind when I wrote a character for a murder mystery The Culture Experience LLC commissioned, the very first one. We were putting it on at The Pasfield House. The theme was “A Night in Miami” and I needed someone who could be debonair, witty, inviting and funny.  The character’s name was Antonio Ferrón, and Tony was perfect.
As Ferrón, the undercover private investigator and master of ceremonies, Tony would have to interact with all the characters and even the guests attending. When we did a table reading with our leader and the cast (the others were Haley Wilson, Shola Odele, Kess Roberson, Brianne Sheppard and me) we laughed so hard together. It was wonderful to see everyone so encouraging and in their element.Â
When it was time for rehearsals, Tony’s presence was so impactful that we noticed when he wasn’t there. He wasn’t the type to worry you or even want to worry you, but I wish he just would’ve been a little bit open about how he was feeling. Tony would tell you something, but only if it were absolutely necessary. He was serious about never wanting to be a hindrance or a burden. He never was.Â
The night of the performance, Tony dazzled and captivated the audience. As a seasoned and talented performer, he knew exactly what the crowd wanted (most times it was him, whether he or the audience knew it or not). Tony’s vivacious and infectious energy was like wildfire. I remember thinking, “What will he think of next, and how am I going to keep a straight face?” Most times I couldn’t.Â
There’s a vision of him that is etched into my mind and will stay there until my heart ceases to beat. As he took his bow, he smiled wide and gracefully gave the audience a wave as he said thank you. His light shone so bright. and it was joy in richness. That’s the only way I could describe it. Perhaps it was the theme and how he dressed for it – he was wearing a deep blue dress shirt and jeans. His hair was styled and he wore gold accessories. He was lush and dashing and a vision, almost like he was some modern character on “Touched by an Angel.”
He was there for a reason, and he accomplished it. It wasn’t the end, but it was one last bow. It hurts to write that, because if I could have given him more, I would have. He deserved a bigger audience, and I wish his family would’ve been able to see it – for that I’m so very sorry.
I could name the shows that Tony did, and though the number is plentiful, it would pale in comparison to the life he lived. We are thankful to have known you, blessed to call you a friend and forever missing you.Â
Reggie Guyton is an actor who moved to Springfield in 2014. Reggie and Tony first worked together during the production of The Wiz in 2017 (Tony was the lion, Reggie was the scarecrow) and again in All the Way at Hoogland Center for the Arts in 2018 (Tony was Martin Luther King Jr. and Reggie was Stokely).
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