Gail S. Young

Gail Spencer Young, 86, died January 14, 2012 of congestive heart failure. He was born on September 27, 1925 in Coltman, Idaho, the second of 8 children to George Spencer Young Jr and Eunice Olson. Shortly after being born his family moved to Idaho Falls. His father's lungs were damaged by gas when he fought in World War I so Gail grew up doing a lot of the chores and work around the house. When the work was done he would enjoy going fishing with his father and alone. The family moved to Provo, Utah when Gail was about 11 years old where his father continued to struggle with his health.

Before he finished high school his dad sent him to live with his uncles on a ranch in Nevada, hoping that a farm deferment would keep him out of World War II and spare him the horrors of war that he had experienced. He was drafted into the army despite the farm deferment and entered active service in April, 1945. He gained the rank of private first class and qualified as a rifle sharpshooter. While in training camp he became very ill with spinal meningitis and was unable to join his unit when they deployed to the European theater. Ultimately he never served overseas and was discharged from the service in May of 1946.

He returned to Provo to finish high school, attending classes with his younger sister. He picked up the trade of brick-laying and continued with that profession for the rest of his life. He was called to serve a two year mission in South Africa for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). After he returned he married Patricia Magdalene Murphy, who had emigrated to America from South Africa. They lived in Provo and had 5 children, Gaylen, Alan, James, Monika and Jesse. After 10 years of marriage they divorced and Gail moved to Portland Oregon to help build an LDS chapel being built there. While there he met Frances Jane Cobb whom he courted and married. She had two children, Tina and Robert that he adopted. During their marriage they had 6 more children: Spencer, Theodore, Lorin, Karina, Roger and Miriam.

Gail continued to live in Portland for the rest of his life and worked both independently and for the union laying bricks until he was 70 years old. He made many beautiful stove places in residential homes in the Portland area. His hobbies were cooking, growing his own food, canning and studying religion. He was excited about alternative energy and recycling innovations. His dream was to develop a home with an attached greenhouse to provide all his food and a self-sustained energy source.

He is survived by all 13 of his children, 42 grandchildren, about 20 great-grandchildren and his sisters Iloa, Sheryl, Julane and brother Steve.

Services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, 11 AM at the LDS chapel at 3600 SE 182nd Ave, Gresham OR 97030.

Arrangements under the direction of Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, Portland, OR.