Mr. Robert L. Young

Robert Lafayette (Bob) Young, Jr. of Little Rock, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away August 11, 2014. He was born July 3, 1930 to the late R.L. and Mable Young of Lonoke. He was preceded in death by a son, Jimmy Young, a brother, Julian Young and sisters Bobbie C. Ellis and Saville Henry. His survivors include his loving wife, Wanda Young, daughters Glenda Merchant (Rusty) of Monticello, Donna Goss (Jim) of Little Rock, Diana Ragsdale (Randy) of Little Rock, sister Shirley Fotioo of Little Rock, six grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews Bob and Wanda White Young were high school sweethearts and later married. Wanda was the love of his life. They were married for 62 years. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Business Administration. He was in ROTC. Following college, he served in the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Finance Corps during the Korean conflict. Bob was the ultimate "people person", joyful Christian and a notorious practical joker. He showered his family with love and showed them the meaning of family. He loved to cook steaks for Sunday family dinner and was his happiest when surrounded by his wife, Wanda, and his children and extended family. He loved to know what was going on in their lives and delighted in sharing his considerable wisdom and life experiences with them. Bob loved to serve people. In Lonoke, his family owned a grocery store where he and his brother and sisters worked. He continued in the grocery business and later owned some Piggly Wiggly stores. He was always asking customers if they were finding everything OK and asking the employees how their lives were going. As much as anything, he loved the interaction with people in the grocery business. Another way he enjoyed serving people was to decorate his yard with seasonal displays for Easter, Christmas and other holidays. The local paper ran stories on his displays and how he picked up trash on the side of the road while making sure to wave at all passing walkers and motorists. He was active in his Church and the local Kiwanis Club. Bob loved life. With a gleam in his eye, he loved to engage people with practical jokes. Family member learned to be wary whenever he stated something as "fact" because a lot of times it wasn't, and he would just laugh- we all laughed, too (eventually). It was his way of sharing his sense of humor and, in his way, letting you into his circle. He was also very spiritual. He had a strong belief in God and faith that he will be in Heaven today with his Heavenly Father and reunited with his departed loved ones. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer's Arkansas. They would like to thank the caregivers and Arkansas Hospice that helped comfort him in his final days. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 16, 2014 at St. James United Methodist Church with Dr. Walter Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Lonoke Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until service time.