Joseph Richard Young Obituary (2022)

J. Richard Young was born in Orem, Utah, where he lived for the first few years of his life. He was the first son born to Smith and Dorothy Young. When he was four years old his family moved to his grandfather's farm in Pleasant Grove and he lived there for the rest of his life. He grew up working on the farm and fixing cars with his brother, Dale. After he graduated from Pleasant Grove High School, Richard attended Utah Trade Tech (now UVU) and earned a certification in welding. He was called to the Northern Indian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in parts of Montana, Minnesota, North and South Dakota. When he returned from his mission, he was drafted into the Army. Richard trained as a helicopter mechanic and was sent to Vietnam. His life was miraculously protected many times during the war. After he returned from the war, Richard's sister-in-law set him up on a blind date with her co-worker. That's how he met his wife, Gwen Bennett. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1971. From that time on, they were nearly inseparable. When Gwen passed away in 2016, Richard never quite figured out how to live without her. Richard was always a hard worker. He would come home from working all day in Salt Lake at Sperry Univac and start baling hay or doing other chores around the farm. He was always fixing something or tinkering with it. Richard is survived by his three children: JoAnna (and JB) Gill, Christopher (and Dawn) Young, Shelly (and Tyler) Craghead, and Kimberly (and Troy) Adams, 14 grandchildren and siblings Dale, Mary Ann, and Sterling. He was preceded in death by Gwen (his wife), his parents, Carolyn and Pauline (sisters) and Nathan Adams (grandson). Funeral services held Monday, November 21, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Northfield Stake Center Chapel, 105 West 1800 North, Pleasant Grove where family and friends may attend a viewing from 9:00 - 10:45 am prior to the services. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.