Gary Wayne Young, born on December 29, 1947, entered the world in a tiny cabin in Elizabeth, Arkansas. When he was still a young boy, his parents moved the family to Kansas, where he grew up and began forming the values and work ethic that would define him as a man. He graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1965 and soon after began working at Sears.

In May 1968, Gary was drafted into the United States Army. In July of that same year in Kansas City at Our Lady of Sorrows, he married the love of his life, Mary Selene, beginning a partnership that would anchor him for almost 50 years. He served as a Supply Sergeant during his deployment to Vietnam, carrying out his duties with his character steadiness. While he was overseas, his only daughter, Lavinia, was born—a moment of joy that sustained him through the challenges of war. Gary was honorably discharged in the Spring of 1970 and returned home to begin the next chapter of his life.

Shortly after his return, he began his truckdriving career at Dick’s Transfer, where he worked for several years before moving to Associated Wholesale Grocers. He remained with AWG until his retirement in 2001, building a career marked by reliability and hard work.

In 2001, Gary and Mary moved to Sturkie, Arkansas, fulfilling a longheld dream of his—to return to a quieter pace of life, close to the land, family and roots that shaped him.

Gary spent many years battling Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, along with various other medical challenges, facing each one with the same grit and quiet courage that had carried him through every chapter of his life. In June 2025, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer, a final hardship he met with strength and dignity.

Through every joy and every struggle, Gary’s greatest devotion was always to his family. He loved them deeply and leaves behind a grieving daughter, Lavinia, and her husband, Bryan; two grandchildren, Caitlyn (Ryan) and Duncan; and two greatgrandchildren, Izzie and Wyatt. He is also survived by his brother, Elmo, and Elmo’s wife, Shirley, and many loving family members.

Gary was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Selene; his parents, G.W. and Beatrice; his brother, Roger; his sister-in-law, Melinda; and brother-in-law, Richard.

Though he was not a practitioner of organized religion, Gary held a deep and unwavering belief in the Lord. His family takes comfort in knowing that he was lovingly welcomed home on February 20, 2026, and that he is once again reunited with the love of his life.

His family invites you to celebrate his life. A visitation will be held February 27, 2026, from 5-7 PM at Doty Family Funeral Service in Salem, Arkansas. The funeral service will be held at the same location on February 28, 2026, at 10 AM with Bro. Joshua Smithee officiating. Interment with military honors will take place directly after at Elizabeth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vasculitis Foundation in his honor.