Bruce Nelson Young has seen his share of headlines during his 63 years — some good, some bad.

One thing is certain, many people in this small community knew the longtime veterinarian.

Young was found dead at about 7 p.m. Friday night on the floor inside his home at 311 N. Marion St.

While police found no evidence of foul play, an investigation is ongoing to determine a cause of death, said Capt. Marty Bruce.

“We are having an autopsy done,” he said.

“There’s no obvious sign of the cause of death,” Bruce said.

Young was awaiting sentencing for the latest of those headlines.

Over the past 30 years, whether he was taking on officials over his right to keep his pigs Romeo and Julia inside city limits or facing prison time for counterfeit charges, Young kept many loyal customers at his veterinary practice.

Then in September 2008, he and friend Jason Heath Clem, 34, of Athens were charged with passing fake $20 bills at the Lincoln County Fair in Tennessee.

In February, Young pleaded guilty to possession of counterfeit bills in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga, Tenn.

According to a court clerk, Young’s sentencing was to be May 4. He was out of jail on bond until then.

The veterinarian served time in prison for conspiracy to commit counterfeiting in the mid-1990s.

He soon was riding in the annual Christmas parade with Romeo and Julia at his side.

Bruce said a woman who works with Young had been trying to reach him all day Friday. She had grown concerned and went to check on him by about 7 p.m.

“She went in and found him,” Bruce said.

Authorities were trying to determine the last time anyone spoke with Young.

Bruce said he did not know if Young was keeping his practice active while he was awaiting sentencing.