Kenneth Edward Young's Obituary
Kenny never mentioned what he wanted in his obituary. But if someone had told him his obituary would read: “Kenneth Edward Young was born October 11, 1944, in Missouri to Gaile and Hazel Skinner Young, and passed away peacefully January 29, 2023, at the University of Utah hospital with his loving wife by his side,” he might have smiled that wide, warm smile of his and said, “That sounds nice. Keep it! Just like that!”
Then again, Kenny was not one to stand on ceremony. It’s just as likely he would have said, “Don’t make a fuss. Just say, Kenny Young has gone fishin’!”
Kenny didn’t like to make a fuss. Particularly over himself. He was generous, tender-hearted, easy with laughter, slow to pass judgment, full of good humor, and he was a man who knew what he liked. After serving in the military and working on the oil rigs in the Gulf, he returned to Utah in 1990 to find his former high school sweetheart and marry her. He was successful in this endeavor, expanding life with his daughter, Shelli, to include Gail Moore and her three sons. Gail and Kenny were truly the love of one another’s lives. Somebody ought to make a movie about them.
It’s probable, then, that upon further consideration Kenny would have said, “Just tell them that I loved my wife, I loved my kids, I loved all of my family and my friends. And then tell them I’ve gone fishin!”
Kenny was never one to seek out the spotlight. He would not have mentioned that he was a US Marine who served in Vietnam, but he was certainly proud of having served his country. He would not have mentioned that during his many years of working for Parker Hannifin he invented a small piece of hardware that ultimately saved the company millions of dollars, but he always took pride in doing a job right. No further proof was needed than to look at his yard, his vegetable garden, and his flowers. Hands down, the best on the street. He would not have mentioned how the kids in the neighborhood loved stopping by and talking to him, but he loved his interactions with people and would almost always offer those children a dollar to do a small chore. He loved conversation, especially if it was over dinner or lunch. Food was important, mind you. Burgers, catfish, steak, enchiladas. Always the good stuff.
In the end, it’s not so much what Kenny said. He was a man of few words. It is how he lived his life and treated others that will be most remembered. And what he did was to bring sunshine into each room he entered, to make each person he spoke to feel loved, to allow laughter and happiness to walk alongside him like a friendly shadow. He was a quiet man of integrity and kindness, with just the right amount of mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
And now Kenny has gone fishin’ and we will miss him until that next fish fry we can share together. He leaves behind many family members that adored him, including his wife and eternal companion, Marylene Gail (Hamilton); his daughter Shelli Curry (Kenny); his sons Christopher Moore (Diane) and Greg Moore (Momoko); his grandchildren Austin Moore; Jagger Moore (Natalia); Mckenzie George (Jeremy); Amaria Chronis (Josh); Coleman Moore, Eliza Moore, Milou Nieminen, and Wolf Moore; and three great-grandchildren (Valentín, Townes, and Rory). He will be missed by numerous friends, fellow workers, neighbors, and just about anyone who met him, including his good friend Phong Nguyen to whom he was like a father. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Geraldine Martin, his brothers Gary and Robert Young, and his son, Jamison Moore.
Do they serve cheeseburgers in heaven? If they didn’t before, they do now. Kenny’s come home, and is probably already firing up the grill.
Please join us on Saturday, February 4, 2023, to celebrate the life of Kenny Young. Services will be held at 1:00 pm at the LDS church at 200 North and 200 West in Bountiful, Utah.
What’s your fondest memory of Kenneth?
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Share a story where Kenneth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kenneth you’ll never forget.
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