Samuel Young III

Samuel Davis Young III, Patriarch for the Young Family.

Samuel Young passed away peacefully on the afternoon of October 18th, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. He was 89 years old.

Samuel Young was born on August 13th, 1928 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Walter Carpenter Young and Mary Minor Parrott. Sam was the oldest of five children: Mary Arden (deceased), Martha Hargadine (Sister Ruth), and twins, Walter C. Young M.D. and Stephen M. Young.

Sam attended Choate Rosemary Hall preparatory school in Wallingford, Connecticut during his formative years. After graduation, he went on to attend Michigan State University briefly before being called into the United States Air force as an accountant and Staff Sergeant, where he received his Medal of Good Conduct.

The Air force issued Sam orders to move to Layton, Utah to serve on Hill Air force Base. While in Utah, he married Bertie Laura Olsen on June 8th, 1951 in Morgan and remained married until 1993. Sam and Bertie had six children together: Samuel Davis Young IV, Seldon Olsen Young, Spencer Wren Young, Susie Young, Roger Beal Young, and Rosemary Young. Sam married Marian LaCombe February 15th, 1994 in Ogden, Utah.  Marian was Sam’s constant companion and caretaker until his death.

In 1952, Sam began working for his father in-law Seldon Jack Olsen at Olsen Chevrolet in Layton. Later, his brother-in-law Kent Murdock joined him in the dealership, where eventually, the two of them assumed ownership of Olsen Chevrolet. Sam and Kent ran the business together until the 1970s. At the time, to accommodate their rising posterity, the two decided to part ways. Under Sam’s direction, Olsen Chevrolet became Young Chevrolet, which evolved into the Young Automotive Group.

Sam led the Young Automotive Group as its president and CEO for many years, until his retirement in 1989, when he moved into a director role. During his tenure as CEO, Mr. Young opened two new automotive dealerships and greatly expanded the company’s service and body shop departments. His legacy continues at the Young Automotive Group, which is presently owned and operated by his children and grandchildren.  The Young Automotive group now operates 13 automotive dealerships in Utah and Idaho, as well as Rocky Mountain Raceways and a number of other business ventures along the Wasatch Front.

Mr. Young was a key influencer on Utah’s automotive industry. He served as the president of the Utah Auto Dealers Association in 1976, and was inducted into the Utah Auto Dealers Association Hall of Fame in 2012.

Sam’s community involvement and philanthropic endeavors spanned many areas. He served as the president of the Davis County Chamber of Commerce, and received its Legacy award in 2000.  He was a member and president of the Layton Rotary.  He was one of the original founding members of the Oakridge Golf and Country Club. He served on the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for fifteen years (1986-2001) as a Flotilla Commander. For over four years, he served alongside his wife, Marian, as a substance abuse recovery missionary at the Davis County jail. The couple also spent four years as temple workers at the LDS Ogden temple. Sam was a member of the Ogden exchange club, and served as a Boy Scout leader for several years.

Mr. Young was yachting and sailing enthusiast, a licensed Master Captain, and served as Commodore of the Lake Powell Yacht Club in 1990. He and Marian lived on a house boat on Lake Powell for many years.

Sam was passionate about skiing, tennis, ocean cruising, scuba diving, square dancing, cycling, gardening, bird watching, accordion playing, photography, camping, aircraft piloting, WSU basketball, eating breakfast at Cracker Barrel and big hugs! He had a fantastic sense of humor, and was known for his wit and candor. He was always making those around him laugh.

Sam leaves behind a large family. He is survived by Marian Young of Layton, UT;  Bertie Young-Criddle of Kaysville; Martha Hargadine (Sister Ruth) of Salt Lake City; Dr. Walter and Linda Young of Colorado Springs, CO; and Stephen Young of Colorado Springs; Samuel and Patty Young of Houston, TX; Seldon and Shellie Young of Farmington, UT; Spencer and Sherry Young of Farmington; Susie and Darrell Young of Cedar City; Roger and Cory Young of Layton; Rosemary and Paul Williams of Houston, TX; Charles Parrish of Salt Lake City, UT; Christopher and DeAnn Parrish of Layton; Catherine and Matthew Lake of Salt Lake City; 31 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by Walter Carpenter Young, Mary Minor Parrot and Mary Arden Young.

The family would like to thank Alice and Kelsey of Brighton Hospice Care, Katherine Patten (Kat), and Holly Hubble and Essential Care.

Funeral services with be held Saturday October 21, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd.  Friends may visit with family Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.