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Bright Home On The Block Missed

Tribune file photo (2002)

A steady stream of cars passes by James Young's home, cruising the Barrington Oaks neighborhood to view the brightly decorated yards and houses.

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

dlwhite@tampatrib.com

Published: December 24, 2008

James Young

BRANDON - The normally sedate upscale neighborhood of Barrington Oaks East off Lumsden Road in Brandon begins to resemble Interstate 275 at rush hour as Christmas draws near.

As the sun goes down and the 51-home neighborhood transforms into a spectacle of holiday lights and decorations, cars begin filtering into the subdivision packed with spectators in search of seasonal sparkle in a tradition that the residents of Barrington Oaks East have kept up for 25 years.

However, the house that's renowned for being one of the brightest with more than 40,000 lights, a collection of animated figures and a red sled on weekends containing Santa will have only a modest Christmas tree aglow by the front door and a lighted nativity scene this year. A sign will invite visitors to write a note to the family of the late James Young and attach it to the tree at 114 Barrington Drive.

Neighbor Molly Morse said the tree was a way to remember the longtime Barrington Oaks East resident who died April 25 at the age of 49. The well-known owner of the Golden Corral and Brass Bell Catering, Young served as the honorary mayor of Brandon and was an active member of numerous Brandon nonprofit organizations.

Young and best friend Richard Bailey began playing Santa Claus for area children 20 years ago while living in Shadow Bay subdivision, and they continued the tradition in front of Young's home in Barrington Oaks East six years ago, supplying Polaroid pictures to any parent who wanted a keepsake of their youngster with Santa. If someone wanted to leave a donation, all the money went to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Young is survived by his wife, Katy, son Blake and daughter Marla.

"This is going to be a very difficult Christmas for them," Morse said. She said Katy Young approved of Morse's plans to put up a Christmas tree by their front door and allow visitors to place notes and ribbons on the tree in Young's memory.

"We'll have a table with ribbons and note cards set up next to the Youngs' circular driveway. From Dec. 21 through the 31st, people can write a note to the family or their thoughts about James to tie to the tree or, if they didn't know James very well, they can simply tie a ribbon to the tree," Morse said.

"I think this will help the family heal, for them to see how much he meant to people and for them to see that they have the community's support. And it will be good for the community, too," she said. "James' house was always brightest, most decorated. Everyone always looked forward to seeing it. He's going to be missed."

THE OAKS ALIGHT

Barrington Oaks, a gated subdivision between John Moore and Bryan roads, is known for its elaborate holiday light displays, so residents will keep the development open to the public from dusk to midnight Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and this weekend. Gates will be open until 11 p.m. Friday and will remain open until 10 p.m. through Jan. 1.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524.

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