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Thomas Young Obituary
95 years
April 2, 1928 ~
June 30, 2023
Thomas Young Jr. was a builder.
•He built a lifelong commitment, dedication and loyalty to Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
•He helped build the church on two missions.
•He built a loving and eternal partnership with his dear wife, Dwan. They recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.
•Tom and Dwan built a family of 5 children, 24 grandchildren and 58 great grandchildren and spouses.
•His father started the family business in 1920 and Tom Jr. built it into what it is today, 103 years later. He is dearly loved by his coworkers.
•With his own hands he built cabins at Bear Lake, docks, flagpoles, medicine cabinets, light fixtures, handcarts, signs (of course), stools, floats, photographic dark rooms, stereo speakers, on and on.
•But most of all Tom built others by his selfless, generous and untiring work and example.
Tom was born in Ogden, the fifth of six children to Thomas and Elmina Young. When he was 9 years old the family moved to Normandie Circle in Salt Lake. Tom attended Uintah Elementary, Roosevelt Jr. High, East High and the University of Utah.
He served in the British Mission from 1948-1950 and married Dwan Louise Jacobsen in 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Canyon Rim, Cottonwood and for the last 62 years in the St. Mary's neighborhood in Salt Lake City, where he served in numerous ward and stake leadership positions.
Tom began working at Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) when he was 14 and just celebrated his 80th anniversary with the company. He was the president and CEO for 18 years and for the last 35 years, Chairman of the Board.
He loved serving in the community as an active member of the Salt Lake Rotary Club for 65 years and received the Rotary Summit Award in 2022.
He is a recipient of Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year award as well as the Distinguished Service award from the International Sign Association.
During many of Tom's years at YESCO, he was an active private pilot flying Beechcraft Bonanzas and Barons.
Tom delighted in music and played the harmonica, accordion, trumpet, French horn and organ.
For 63 years the family has had a Bear Lake cabin near Fish Haven, Idaho. It has been and will continue to be a place of refuge, hard work, fun and family love.
Tom and Dwan shared three precious years, from 1988 to 1991, as president and companion of the Calgary Canada Mission.
Tom and Dwan's children are Mike and Karen Young, Paul and Kathryn Young, Christine and Steve Knudson, Suzanne and Steve Jones and Jeff and Cathy Young.
Most importantly, Tom loved Dwan beyond measure. He served her and she served him. Their love is a shining light that will carry us all through until we are united again as an eternal family.
Tom lived this scripture to its fullest, "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 South Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City. There will be a visitation on Friday, July 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and on Saturday from 10:00 to 11:30 am, prior to the funeral at the church.
For those unable to attend, the funeral will be streamed via Zoom. Please visit Tom's obituary page at www.larkinmortuary.com for information.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Young
Sponsored by Larkin Mortuary - Salt Lake City.
Larry Richards
June 27, 2024
Brother Young was a wonderful priesthood quorum leader. We young boys were required to memorize the story of the first vision. We spent many evenings in Brother Young's basement passing off portions of the story as found in Joseph Smith's History. As a bonus, each of us were treated to a short ride in his private plane. Then over the years opportunities were presented to be in his and Dwan's company. Cherished memories all. He has left a wonderful family legacy and an indelible imprint on the heart, mind, and spirit of many young boys in the early 1960's. We have lost one of the great and noble ones.
Richard Warner
July 16, 2023
May sweet memories of your father's love and example echo always in the quiet chambers of your heart.
Joe and Hazel Andersen
July 12, 2023
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Young Family. As an employee for 22 years. I had many opportunities to learn and visit with Tom. From working at the hanger were he kept his plane to just visiting with him before the all hands meetings.
He knew everyone of the employees by name. It didn´t matter if you just started or had been there a long time. Tom took the time to learn about the little things. From his flipping pancakes at the yearly company party at lagoon to sharing stories about old cars. I will always remember the great times.
Tom was a leader if men.
joan okelberry clissold
July 11, 2023
I was sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was a man to be admired for his strength of character, his kindness, his pleasant demeanor and so much more. It was an honor and a pleasure to know him.
Jeff Seegmiller
July 11, 2023
Great example of how to serve and love people. Thank you President and Sister Young
Cherry Anderson and Mel Bryson
July 9, 2023
Cherry and I have such fond memories of Tom and Dwan. You both were so kind to Cherry when she was younger. Thank you for your loving kindness and Christlike example. You will be missed, but we will see you on the other side.
Keith Casper
July 8, 2023
I will always remember the joy the Young's had and have. I saw their love for us missionaries and benefited greatly from it. Their help with the work in Canada and with our testimonies was immeasurable. They were extremely patient with us greenies. I even learned to do yard work better from them. It is sad to know I won't see President Young again in this life but I am very glad at the reunion that is taking place now. We will see him and partake of his personality again. Sister Young I hope you are holding up and I send you my love to you and your family.
Delores Simons
July 8, 2023
My loving thoughts to Dwan and her family at this tender time!
Michele Duncan Rolfe( Don Rolfe)
July 8, 2023
Dear Dwan, Mike, Paul & Karen,
It has been an honor to work with your family over the years with Yesco. Our family is grateful to yours and would like to send heart felt condolences and express shared compassion in your recent loss. As you may already know! Don , I and our older daughters just held our daughter Sweet Angel Amelia 28 her
" Celebration of Life" on July 6,2023. She passed away on June 19 @ Jordan Valley Hospital. Surrounded by our loving family!
George S. Young
July 7, 2023
Tom Young was one of the finest men I have ever known. Though we were not related, we were "Blood Brothers" as he used to say. I could echo everything Larry Richards said, as I was also in his Deacon's Quorum and in Dwan's Blazer class. I remember how gracious he was in every way as an advisor and example of a righteous and full life. I believe that all of the young men in our ward knew we had an amazing man teaching us. He had a pleasing charm about him in all he did - I remember how he would tell us about the hymns before leading the singing in Sunday School, and he made them come alive for me. I know my life has been much better because of his impact and example on me. We were all lucky to have him in our lives. Thank you, Tom, for everything you have done and everything you are. George S. Young
Darol and Loree Wagstaff
July 7, 2023
Sincere condolences to the Young family. We pray for blessings of strength, comfort, and peace.
Frances Metcalfe
July 7, 2023
I worked at YESCO for eight years. I didn´t see Mr. Tom often, but when I did he was unfailingly polite and always smiling. The stories of his work ethic are legendary. So if I had a question about how to handle a recalcitrant individual on the phone or writing up jobs I would think to myself, "What would Mr. Tom do?"
My heartfelt condolences to the entire Young family.
Larry Richards
July 7, 2023
Tom Young was my Deacon's Quorum Advisor around 1965. I have great memories of his caring influence as he helped us all learn what priesthood was all about. We spent one-on-one time in his home trying to memorize the Joseph Smith story. Back then it was a requirement for advancement in the priesthood. He also took each boy in the quorum for a ride in his airplane. For a 12 or 13 year old, that was an experience never to be forgotten. Dwan was my Blazer Scout leader. The two of them had an immense influence on my life. They both have left a legacy of work and faithfulness in the lives of their children. Tom will be missed. The world has lost a remarkable man. Gratefully, we are left with strengthening and guiding memories.
Sharon Huber
July 6, 2023
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always. Tom was a kind and supportive person. He always encouraged me to do my best.
Diane Hughes
July 5, 2023
Dear Dwan and family.
My heart is with you at this time bittersweet transition to Tom´s next step in life. You have always been a blessing in my life, and in my mom´s life. My mom, Jeanne Matheson Hughes, served with you on the Primary General Board. I believe that is where your lifelong friendship began. One of my memories of you, Tom, and my mom occurred just a few years before my mom passed away. Mom and all of her five children were enjoying a dinner out. You and Tom were there and you came over and visited with us. When we tried to get our bill for dinner, we were told you and Tom had already paid for all of us. So indicative of your thoughtfulness and generosity.
My siblings and I will not be able to join with you at Tom´s visitation and funeral. We are vacationing as siblings and spouses and will actually be in Calgary, a land and people you loved, this weekend. We love you! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Diane Hughes
Todd Jensen
July 5, 2023
President and Sister Young took over as our mission leaders about midway through and took all of us by storm. While loving the Spafford's I adored the Young's. Grateful to have had the association of such greatness in a great work.
Elder Jensen
Lynn Lehmann
July 4, 2023
It was my good fortune to have worked and travelled with Tom and his family. You will never find better people than the Youngs.
Frank Moeller
July 4, 2023
President Young was so kind to me when I arrived in the mission field. President and Sister Young truly loved the missionaries. They helped me grow in so many ways. I loved serving with them in the Canada Calgary Mission.
It was so nice to meet up at the Calgary Temple open house. Our condolences to Sister Young and the family. Till we meet again! Love, Elder Moeller and Family
Dennis & Susan Poulsen
July 4, 2023
With heavy hearts we send our love and condolences to you, Dwan and family. We will always cherish the memories we have of Tom riding across the road on his Gator to check on us when we hadn´t been to Bear Lake for a bit, saying he´d been worried sick. We have truly lost a friend. May our Savior bless you with peace and comfort, Dwan. We love you both.
Doug Larson
July 3, 2023
President Young treated me like a son from the moment I stepped off the plane in Calgary. I will forever be grateful for his service, compassion, and knowledge that he freely gave. He and Sister Young impacted my life in ways that cannot be measured. Until we meet again!
Greg Andersen
July 3, 2023
I am so sorry to hear about Toms passing. Tom was and employer to me and also a very good friend. I have so many good memories of the time he took to talk to me and mentor me as such. Tom did so much for so many and touched so many life's. I am so thankful I was privileged to be one of those people. What a great man.
Karen Millett
July 3, 2023
Oh how I love you President and Sister Young. The light of Christ radiates from each of you. May God continue to bless you Sister Young and your wonder family. I pray peace, comfort and happiness to you. You are loved by oh so many.
I love you forever,
Sister Karen Millett
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