Thomas Young Jr.

Thomas Young Jr. 1928-2023

  • 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.”

In Memory of Thomas Young Jr 1928- 2023 (1.37)

Tom Young Memorial to Tom and Dwan A Legacy of Love. (56:27)