Stephen G. Young, long-time vice president of government affairs at Consol Energy, died Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
Young was a native of Buckhannon and earned a bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1958 and a law degree from West Virginia University in 1964. He also served for three years in the U.S. Navy.
In 1974, Young joined Consolidation Coal Co., a Consol Energy subsidiary, as director of state government relations after serving for six years as president of the West Virginia Coal Association.
Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, said, "Steve was one of the most exquisite minds in the industry over the years. He was a mentor of mine. He clearly was a shining light in terms of public policy and how to deal with Congress and the Legislature. I learned so much from him.
"He was a great American, a patriot, a Navy SEAL. He was devoted to the industry and the people who work in it and wanted to see it progress, particularly the industry in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia, where Consol had such a presence.
"He's one of those persons whose credibility and integrity was always unquestioned," Raney said. "He was a dear friend."