Eugene "Gene" Leslie Young

Our dear, sweet husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great-great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Eugene Leslie Young, passed away early on the morning of December 2nd, 2021 from injuries sustained in a car accident. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. We are grateful that so many of us could spend the last few hours with him. He was all about FAMILY.

Gene was born in Driggs, Idaho on October 13th, 1929 to Orson Taylor and Marion Anderson Young. He moved to Orderville, Utah when he was 15. He graduated from Valley High School in 1947. He attended BAC (now SUU) and then graduated from Dixie Junior College in 1951. He was then drafted into the United States Army. He served in the Korean War 1951 through 1953. He was a proud veteran and loved his country.

Gene married Elain Chamberlain in the St George Temple on October 7th, 1955. They were blessed with 3 children: Sheryl, Ken, and Kurt.
Gene and Elain stayed in Orderville for a year after they were married. Their first child, Sheryl, was born there and then they moved to Salt Lake seeking better employment. They purchased a new home on a brand-new street in a brand-new subdivision in Sandy--Poppy Lane in White City. It was there that their two boys, Ken & Kurt were born. They made many lifelong friends while living there as they began to raise their little family.

In 1965, both Gene and Elain decided they wanted a little more room for their family to run and play. They purchased an old farmhouse on a 7-acre farm in Granite in 1965 and immediately settled into remodeling and turning the property into a place where family and friends could gather to create memories. They sold off portions of their property so they could pay off their mortgage. They were very frugal and it was important to them not to be in debt.

With a friend, Gene co-founded Turf Sprinkler Company in 1966 and bought out his partner in 1976. He was still working until he passed. He was the chief advice giver and master errand runner to the last. He ran his last errand on December 1st at the age of 92. He was proud of his company’s 55-year legacy and all those that worked for him over the years, his work colleagues, and the customers he served.

Gene worked hard and he instilled that work ethic in his family. However, as hard as he worked, he always found time to support his kids and grandkids in their activities and provided many opportunities for family to spend time together playing and enjoying each other’s company. Gene had a wry and warped sense of humor that not everyone may have appreciated, but it was one of the many things that endeared him to us. Gene was a staunch supporter of BYU, conservative politics, and his country, but his family came first and meant everything to him. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Gene is survived by his wife Elain, of 66 years. his brother Spencer, his children: Sheryl, Ken (Cynthia), and Kurt (Lisa). He is also proud grandfather to 15 grandchildren: Tracy (Paul), Mindy (Jon), Holly (Ben), Carly (Jason), Dane, Becky (deceased), Amber, Mandy (Mike), Chayden (Ashlyn), Aleigh (Kelly), Madison, Mike, Aubree (Terance), Ashley, Alexa, Aarika (Roshan), and Julia (Seth). Great-grand father to 38: Ammory, Kamen, Teig, Elysia, Mike, Reed, Jade, Natalie, Jacoy, Marian, Jacie, Sadie, Lydia, Gordon, Josie, Audrey, Harrison, Jackson, McKenleigh, Aiden, Gavin, Peyton, Cash, Harvey, Baylor, Killian, Skyleigh, Kennedy, Tommy, Collins, Scout, Ryder, Kyler, Blayke, Bryton, Luca, Sawyer, and Isaac, great-great grandfather to Tyriel, and baby boy to be born in February. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Orson Taylor Young, Marion Anderson Young, his older sister Barbara Jorgenson, his younger brother Virgil Young, his younger sister Ida Winter, his son-in-law Stan, and his sweet granddaughter Becky Smart. We know there has been a glorious reunion on the other side!

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, December 11th, 2021 at the Granite View Stake Center, 9880 South 3100 East in Sandy, Utah. Viewings will be held Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, UT, and Saturday morning from 10:00 – 11:30 am at the church prior to the services. Interment will be in the Granite Cemetery, 2969 East 9800 South, Granite, Utah. He will be buried with full military honors. To share a thought of condolence with the family, please visit larkincares.com.