Ruel LaDale Young

Our beloved husband, father, Papa, and friend, Ruel LaDale Young passed away on March 7, 2025 at the age of 83. Known as LaDale, he loved God and others well, and will be missed by his wife, Carol Ann Young, family, and countless friends.

LaDale was born in Madill, Oklahoma on October 19, 1941 to Ruel and Catherine Young. He spent his childhood in Ardmore, Oklahoma, where he developed a lifelong passion for serving others, building relationships, making music, and forming a strong work ethic. His father Ruel served as a wonderful role model, and like him, LaDale hardly knew a stranger in “Ardmore, USA.” He took piano lessons, learned to play other instruments, and while in high school participated in the band program. At a young age, he came to know Jesus as his Savior; as a teenager he loved playing the piano for several congregations in Ardmore.

Upon high school graduation, LaDale attended Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma. There he enjoyed studying music, playing in the band, and serving in various organizations. He developed friendships he treasured as much as his degree. He truly had a knack for building relationships. One of those friendships was with Carol Ann Marler, a beautiful, brown-eyed brunette. Dates, where he picked her up at oddly specific times (like 5:37 p.m.) led to a lifetime together! They both enjoyed his final year of college and were honored when he was named Outstanding Senior Man of 1963. Years later, he was instrumental in renaming their beloved Central State College to the University of Central Oklahoma.

LaDale and Carol Ann married on August 10, 1963. Shortly before they wed, he went to work for Fidelity Union Life Insurance Company. A few years later they moved to Dallas, Texas. He is credited with training hundreds while working in the insurance industry. During his career, he traveled extensively and oversaw operations at Fidelity Union’s training center (Wild Briar) in Irving, Texas. Eventually he worked for Richard Kidd Productions, FirstMark Financial Group, Columbus Life Insurance, and Western & Southern Financial Group. LaDale and Carol Ann traveled the world and literally have friends they consider family from all over.

The Youngs loved living in Dallas and raised their family there. They were active members of White Rock United Methodist Church, and later Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church. LaDale sang in the choir, chaired multiple committees, played men’s softball, coached boy’s baseball, chaperoned youth trips, and taught more than one Sunday School lesson! He served on the downtown Dallas YMCA board, and ran in, or worked the finish line at many Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot races. As an adult, he developed a love for photography and used his creativity to produce multimedia presentations for work, the church, and Ardmore High School reunions. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, strolling around North Park Mall, and listening to his vast collection of long-play vinyl albums. He was never too busy to lend a hand to neighbors, to take a run around White Rock Lake, or tend to his immaculate yard. The Youngs remained in Dallas until they built their dream home on “Honey Hill,” in Burnett County.

Life in the Texas Hill Country at Whitewater Springs allowed LaDale and Carol Ann the opportunity to host friends and family in what he called “Paradise.” Methodist churches in Bertram and Marble Falls became home, and once again LaDale worshipped, served, and sang in the choir! If you stayed at Honey Hill, he would grill and serve the best steak and baby back ribs. While waiting for dinner, he would serenade company on his guitar or piano; oh, how his grandchildren loved to dance while their Papa played the hits! He adored taking friends to the Blue Bonnet for pie, to Cooper’s in Llano for barbeque, and to the Wildseed Farm near Fredericksburg. Perhaps his favorite stop was at Blair’s to buy boots or a hat as a souvenir from Texas! He even manned the boot shining stand in Blair’s after he retired from the insurance industry.

Ten years ago, LaDale was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia. Dementia can be described as a long goodbye. As Carol Ann, family, and friends witnessed LaDale’s decline, they marveled at how his love for music remained. Daily he would play several memorized songs on the piano, usually beginning with a lively (and loud) rendition of “This is the day…” Our hope is that his life and legacy will include rejoicing and being glad, because this is the day that the Lord has made!

LaDale leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Carol Ann Young; his children, Stacy Williams and Scott (Lisa) Young; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Brayden) Ratcliff, Jordan Williams, Jonathan Williams, and Sierra Young; his brother, Jeff Young, and sister, Sabrina Young Waller; as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ruel and Catherine Young; sister-in-law, Kathy Sue Young; and son-in-law, Rocky Williams.

The funeral will be at First Methodist Church of Marble Falls, Saturday, March 29, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family asks that donations be made to the “Helping Fund” at First Methodist Church of Marble Falls.