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John Young

1947 - 2021

John Young obituary, 1947-2021, Salt Lake City, UT

BORN

1947

DIED

2021

John Young Obituary

John L. Young

1947 - 2021

Salt Lake City, Utah—The world is a little less bright today, as we lost one of the good ones. John L. Young passed away April 2, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. John was born September 30, 1947 in La Mesa, Texas where his family ran a cotton farm. John's family relocated to Rupert, Idaho in 1957 where via a lottery for veterans, his father received a parcel for farming under the Homestead Act. He attended Minico High School and was on the debate team with Lou Dobbs, which inspired him to go to college to become a lawyer. In 1965, John moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to attend the University of Utah. He was a proud Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) where he made lifelong friends and graduated in 1969. John received his JD from the University of Utah law school in 1973. He was a long-standing active member of the Utah Bar Association and licensed to practice law in Utah and Wyoming. John was a founding member of Young Hoffman, LLC, specializing in construction law. For several years John served as the Chair of the Utah Model Jury Instructions Committee. He also spent a year chairing a task force with previous State Senator Scott Howell for what became the Residential Lien Recovery Act/Fund. John also authored a number of successful legislative proposals for the construction industry.

John was an avid fly fisherman and his favorite day was opening day fishing on Silver Creek in Idaho. He also loved fishing the Madison River in Montana and the Green River in Utah. John was passionate about his legal work with the Utah Stream Access Coalition, to promote securing and maintaining public access to Utah's public waters and stream beds.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Allene Young, and his brother Royce Young. He is survived by his wife, Joan Young, his children Carter Young (Keri) -expecting grandson, Megan Young Chatterji (Neil), his stepson Garrett Cottle (Leila and Sage), his sister Denese Young, his brother Wayne Young (Trudy) and his nieces and nephews.

The family would like to especially thank his best friend Robert Bergman, his law partner and dear friend Jeremy Hoffman, and dear friend RC Montrone.

Due to Covid, no service will be held but please give him a nod next time you are on your favorite river.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in John's name to:

Utah Stream Access Coalition

Care of John Ludlum, Treasurer

P.O. Box 91154

Salt Lake City, Utah 84109

https://utahstreamaccess.org/

"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of those rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters". - Norman Maclean

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Apr. 5 to Apr. 11, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for John Young

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Jo Rieben

April 9, 2021

Joan,
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Scott Sackett

April 9, 2021

Either through my own good luck, or by John's misfortune, I happened to land in the middle of his professional path and was afforded the opportunity to work with him for the last 13 years. In that time, there was never a moment when John was not willing to help me with my professional growth.

Just as much as John advised me on how best to navigate a case, John was just as willing to sit and talk fishing for hours. With as much as we talked about fishing rivers in Utah, Idaho and Montana, I'll always regret never getting behind the oars on a float trip with him on the Green or the Madison. He was a fantastic mentor and an all around good guy.

I wish the best for all those that had the pleasure of knowing John and that are mourning his loss. I am forever grateful for the patience, courtesy and mentorship John provided me, and will think of him often, fly rod in hand.

Marcie

April 8, 2021

Thoughts and prayers remain to each of you that love John.
Carter and Megan may your courageous heart and strength that I recall carry you through this difficult time.
Love,
Marcie

Anna Collins

April 8, 2021

My deepest sympathy to your family. May you find comfort during this time of sorrow. Rest in Peace John Young.

Linda Platt

April 8, 2021

John was a sweet, sarcastic, and easy going boss. I will miss history lessons, his silly comments, and seeing him in the office. John was one in a million, and I am going to miss him greatly. My thoughts are with you Joan, and the rest of John's family and friends.

Bruce Maak

April 8, 2021

I was a year behind John in law school and was his opposing counsel on every case on which we worked together. John was a good man and friend. As a lawyer, he was a constructive problem solver who was scrupulously honest, dependable, and talented. Those glorious traits made John a challenging adversary with whom it was a pleasure to deal. What more good can one say of a lawyer?
I have lost track of Megan, but send her my condolences and best wishes. I send the same to Carter and Keri, with whom I hope soon to share a day on the Green River sharing John stories and appreciating him and his memory.

Condolences and best wishes to all of John's family members.

Godspeed, my friend.

Keith and Ilene Stowe

April 7, 2021

John has been our next door neighbor and close friend for 27 years. We are saddened that the world has lost such a smart, loving, talented man. Our world has been forever enriched because of him. Keith and Ilene Stowe

Craig Coburn

April 7, 2021

My heartfelt condolences to Joan, Carter, Megan, Garrett, grandchildren, in-laws and friends.

John was a loving grandfather, father and husband ... a generous and loyal friend ... an excellent attorney and mentor to many ... and an outstanding fly angler and sportsman. John was, in short, a fine and good human being. Those who knew him ... whose lives he touched ... know that they are themselves better human beings for having had John in their lives. This is certainly true for me. John was my mentor, my law partner (for a time) and, most recently, my co-counsel. Most importantly, he was my friend. I will miss him and I will remember him.

Coralie Alder

April 7, 2021

Joan,
We are so sorry to hear about John. Our thoughts are with you, Carter and all of your family! He will be greatly missed!
Deepest condolences,
Bruce and Coralie

Geneva (Young) Neill

April 7, 2021

So sorry to hear of John’s passing. I remember seeing him only one time when we stopped by Harold and Alene’s in Rupert. I am first cousin of Harold’s and live in Brownfield, Tx.
Venda lives near by. So glad to see his picture. He looks a lot like His dad.

Judy malone

April 6, 2021

Never apologetic but always kind.

Dr. Susan Chilton

April 6, 2021

Fondly remembered. Forever missed.

Clark Peterson

April 6, 2021

So sad to hear of John’s passing. We did indeed lose a great friend and a fine attorney. I’ve known John for decades and worked several cases with him. He’s one of the nicest, hardest working guys I’ve ever met. When friends had legal issues concerning construction i always recommended John. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends. We’re all deeply saddened and kinda in shock right now.

Davis Mullholand

April 6, 2021

He was indeed a wonderful man whom I respected greatly and with whom ai truly enjoyed spending time. He will be missed.

Karen Edson

April 6, 2021

John was a wonderful friend, father and husband. His legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren. Hopefully John will, from above, help me make that perfect cast and watch the fly ripple down the current to catch that big Brown!
Special hugs to the family.
Much love

David Barclay

April 6, 2021

John and I were shareholders together for several years at the law firm of RICHARDS BRANDT MILLER NELSON in Salt Lake along with a number of other fine people I considered friends and accomplished professionals—with the emphasis here on “friends”. I too graduated from law school and entered the practice in 1973, though I took three years longer from birth getting there.

Founder BILL RICHARDS of the firm often said, “I never met a man who on his deathbed said, ‘I wish I’d spent more time in the office.’” It’s relationships with good people that sustain and enrich. Forest Gump said, “My mama says that ‘stupid is as stupid does’. This variant also applies: “Goodness is as goodness does.” John personified it.

From personal observation and the reports of others I learned that he spoke kindly and supportively of me both to my face and behind my back, which left a lasting favorable impression. He was part of some of the best years of the firm.

We all know that lawyers, like cats, are among the most restless of creatures, and John was not immune. But unlike cats, he made lasting friendships along the way, particularly where people shared a passion for clean air and water, clear vistas, and a desire to share their availability. I wasn’t a fly fisherman, per se, but felt its grandeur from being around him and his fishing buddy Craig Coburn, who is still at RBMN and from whom I learned of John’s passing the other day via an email. Their mutual enthusiasm for nature was infectious.

There is no doubt my life is better for our paths having crossed. To quote Eleanor Roosevelt once again because she hit the mark and it fits: “Acquaintances come and go, but friends leave footprints on your heart.” John left them with me in his quiet way, even though somewhat at a distance. I’m grateful for them.

Sincere condolences to his family.

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