Leroy Young

Leroy was the oldest son of Ruby and Virgil Young. Raised in the Coleman district alongside his crew of siblings, his god-fearing sister Geneva, his intellectual and curious brother Virgil Jr., the outdoorsman Kenny and his baby sister Carol.

Leroy is survived by his brother Virgil Jr. and youngest sister Carol Young, his children Debra Breon, Brian Young, Leland Young and Shelley Young and his brood of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Leroy was born and raised in Fort Dodge, IA, a proud resident who devoted himself to developing his curious mind, his artistic inclinations, his mother and his business. Although never trained as an engineer, Leroy was clearly an innate one. Single-handedly restoring a condemned four-story freight elevator and by engineering a cage to hang outside the same four-story building, enabling him to remove and replace all the windows. This 16,000 square building was home to Youngs Refrigeration, the successful business he started and ran with his wife Irene for 20-plus years.

Leroy loved to play and create; he was always ready for a good game of 500 or a trip to the casino. He loved to talk and debate anything; he was always curious and open to the opinion of others and never forced his own views onto anyone. He laughed easily and it was easy for him to make others laugh with his charm and wit.

Leroy was known for his incredible strength, not just his physical strength, which he has been said to be “the strongest man in Fort Dodge.” Being able to pick up a washing machine with his bare hands, carry it up a flight of stairs and put it in the back of his truck. Leroy could be seen well into his eighties working out at the gym or riding his bike through the beautiful paths of Fort Dodge. Leroy carried that physical strength to the end, but he also carried his strength of mind, knowing exactly who he was, what he wanted and what and who was important to him.