Frank Leroy Young

Frank Leroy Young, a devoted husband, beloved father, supportive brother and uncle, generous neighbor, and friend to many, passed away on August 5, 2025. He was 86 years young and has joined his parents, Walter "Fred" and "Medora" Jane Young in heaven. To his family and friends, he was known as Leroy, to his Navy pals and fellow workers, he was known as Frank. He serviced four years in the United States Navy, on the USS Amphion. He retired as a Pressman from Alcoa (Reynold Metals Printing Plant) after 39 1/2 years of employment. His favorite hobby was "working" in his garage painting and repairing classic cars.

Over the years, he enjoyed fishing, spending time with friends and family on the York River, cutting grass on his riding lawn mower, always helping family, friends, and neighbors without a moment of hesitation and who could always be found with something practical in his hands - tools, tomatoes, or the keys to a car that needed fixing. He loved watching NASCAR races and going to local racetracks. In years past, you could find him hanging out at Luther's garage building race cars, or with friends in his backyard garage. There was always someone over or driving by honking to say hello daily. You could find him at the auto parts stores or junk yards (where they all knew him by name), or sleeping in his recliner with the TV on. He never met a dessert that he didn't like and would often "try a little of each".

Whether he was sharing vegetables from his garden, casting lines with lifelong friends under the nickname 'FLY" (Frank Leroy Young) or One-Eye, or grumbling at the latest so-called music, current news of the day that had him in disbelief, he was wholly, unapologetically himself and that's exactly how everyone loved him. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, generosity, authenticity, and a family that loved him. He showed a firm presence to the world but those that knew and loved him best, knew he was very soft-hearted. His presence will be missed in every garden row, every early morning fishing trip, and every earnest conversation about the world today. He shared 64 years of marriage with the love of his life, Mary Walpole Young, a bond built on hard work, devotion, and shared laughter whose love carried them through decades of marriage and raising a family.

In addition to his parents, Frank is preceded in death by a brother, Fred Thomas; sisters, Linda Faye Davis, Mary Elizabeth Johnson and husband, Jim Tom Johnson, and Doris "Jane" Bennett. He is survived by his wife, Mary Walpole Young; his daughters, Denise Young Martinez (David) and Donna Young-White (Steve); grandchildren, Jayce Young (Felisha), Gavin White, and Kylie Martinez; great-granddaughters, Lillian Grace Young and Maylee Wren Young; brothers, David Earl (Kay), John Robert (Betty), and Billy Ralph (Elizabeth); sisters, Shirley Wright (Ian), and Paul Ramsey (Sheri); sister-in-law, Georgie Mae Thomas; brother-in-law, William Bennett; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Frank Leroy Young's absence will be felt by many close and far-in every classic car show, on every stretch of lawn freshly mowed, in every cold soda/beer shared in a warm garage. His legacy is one of relentless hard work, silent kindness, and deep devotion to the people and things he loved.

A viewing of his life will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son. To follow will be a brief private funeral at Sunset Memorial Park, by Chaplin Brad Robins. In lieu of flowers, mow someone's grass, fix something that's broken, help a neighbor without being asked or make a donation to St. Jude's Children's hospital (www.stjude.org). That's what he would want.

A very special thanks to Sandra Graham who was Dad's Caregiver for the last 3+ years and Gloria Campbell, who provided Dad comfort for 5+ years, Enhabit Home Health (Amy and Cheryl), and At Home Harmony (Jennifer Dietrich). His final days were spent in Bon Secours Compassus Community Hospice Center off Old Bon Air Road in Midlothian. We are grateful for all involved in his journey along his last 5 years and 5 months of life since his stroke.