Gerald 'Gary' Young, 71

Gerald "Gary" Young, 71, “won his race through life” July 6, 2012. He passed away after a lengthy illness, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Gary was born Nov. 26, 1940, in Hardin, the ninth of 10 children born to Fred and Hazel Young. His family moved to Kalispell when he was a small child, where he attended Elrod grade school and was a member of the Flathead County High School Class of 1958.

He attended college in California and Montana, graduating from University of Montana in 1966. After dating Geraldine “Jerry” Skogen from 1960, they married in 1964. They were blessed with a daughter, Chantel Abel and son, Gary Wes Young.

Gary taught in Montana and Oregon before he ventured into a series of businesses during the next years of his life. He was a partner in Kalispell Stone and Marble, Galley Wagon, Whitefish Kentucky Fried Chicken and The Alpine Donut Factory. Gary was a jack-of-all-trades which led him into remodeling houses and apartments. Later on, he became an Allstate agent, which he enjoyed so much. He always found his work fun and a new adventure.

Gary became ill with cardiomyopathy in 1976. He continued his work and enjoyed his life for the next 14 years, until his heart was so weakened he received a transplant in 1989. Thus began a 23-year miraculous life as a heart transplant, with unending learning and never putting off a new adventure ‘til tomorrow. He continued to work for Allstate until 1997.

After he retired, he traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, many times with his in-laws, Floyd and Katie Skogen.

He was a kind, caring and sharing person with a great love of people. His happiest moments were with his old high school friends, Jim and Joe Murphy, and his family, traveling along in the motor homes across the Southwest desert. His travels took him visiting other transplants and old friends across the U.S. and long tours in Mexico. Gary enjoyed traveling but always breathed a sigh of relief when he crossed back into Montana and saw the mountains.

During the 1990s, Gary had race horses and traveled the Montana racing circuit with his brother Joe and brother-in-law, Byron Cameron, sometimes winning, sometimes not; but always having a good time. Then he started restoration of classic Fords with the money from a winning lottery ticket. This started with a 1955 Crown Victoria and lead to a collection, including a 1955 Ford Sunliner, a 1959 Ford Skyliner, and a token Corvette.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Ardeanah Naber, Jacquelyn Plympton, Louise Klos and Dolly Dean Lind; and brothers, Art Young and Fred Young.

He is survived by his wife, Jerry, of 48 years, and children, Chantel and Lee Abel, and Gary Wes Young and Tammy, all of Kalispell. He also is survived by grandchildren, Gracelyn, Kelby and Andelise Abel and Natalie Young. Surviving siblings are Madeline Coleman, Joe Young and Georgia, and Wes Young and Dorothy, all of Kalispell. He also had many nieces, nephews and greats.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 12, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 13, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, followed by a memorial celebration of life and potluck meal at 4:30 p.m. at Smith Valley Fire Hall.

In remembrance of Gary, please sign your donor card and give donations to the Salvation Army.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Gary’s guest book.