Gary Don Young 71, of Little Rock passed from this life to his heavenly home on July 16, 2021. He was born November 13, 1949, to the late Leo and Geneva Young.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Harlan Eugene Young; a sister Beulah Faye Martin; and grandchildren; Sarah Lynn Laging and Elizabeth Diane Young.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory a loving wife of 52  years, Rhonda Young, a son Kevin Young "Amy", two daughters Jennifer Lynn Laging "Aaron", and Amanda Donetta Pearl Eversole "Shawn", and six grandchildren, Olivia, Cade, Katie, Jackson, Zeke, and Carter; and a host of family and friends who all love and will miss him dearly.

Gary Young was a husband, father, and grandfather.  He lived a quiet life and mostly kept to himself.  He married at a young age and soon became a father.  He went on to have three children.  He did not have much growing up and only had a ninth-grade education, but he was determined that his kids would not follow in his footsteps.  He was the kind of Dad that got up and went to work every day and made sure there was food on the table.  His chosen profession was often hard work and over the years took a toll on his body.  His justification was it was the best living he could make with the education he had.  When he was a young man, he loved to go fishing with his friends or family members.  Back in the old days he would go "snagging" with a few friends on the Arkansas River.  He and Mom also loved to get together and fish with friends.  He had a passion for antique cars, he could tell you the year, make and model of just about anything that had some age on it.  He was a magician with paint and body work.  He spent close to thirty years working for different body shops around town and even had a short stent working for himself in the late 80s and early 90s.  After retirement he would pull the dents out of a car here and there but preferred just tinkering around and often built toys for his grandkids.  He enjoyed Sunday drives with his wife and their dogs and would often go no place in particular. Christmas was always one of his favorite times of the year.  He would turn into a little kid right before our eyes when all the presents were passed out.  He would often tease my mother by either giving her a few gifts addressed from their dogs or find the biggest box he could and wrap three or four boxes within each other to conceal a small gift.  The anticipation is what he enjoyed the most.

My Dad was not a religious man, but he believed in God and was saved.  He told me so more than one time.  He was saved as a young teenager in a church in Southwest Little Rock.  He also looked to God for strength and help during his battle with cancer, this too he told me.  Gary Young was tough and optimistic until the end, he had grit.  He finished strong.

A memorial visitation will be held July 22,2021 at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home from 4 – 6 p.m.

Visit www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com to sign the online guestbook.

Psalm 102:11-12 My days are like a lengthened shadow, and I wither like grass.  But You, O Lord, abide forever, and Your name to all generations.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Isaiah 12:2 Behold-God is my salvation.  I am confident, unafraid, and I will trust him.