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Floyd Earl Young Jr. was born on Sept. 16, 1940, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Floyd Earl Young Sr. and Edna Clarissa Johnson. Floyd was the oldest of three children. He grew up in Laramie, Wyoming. Floyd participated in scouting with his brother Alvin through his teenage years and earned his Eagle Scout in 1957. He graduated from Laramie High School in 1958 and then attended the University of Wyoming. While a sophomore in college, he was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A year later, he was called to serve as a missionary for the church in the Northeast British Mission.
When he returned home from his mission, he was sealed to the love of his life, Virginia Lucile Forslin, in the Salt Lake Temple on July 2, 1963. They were blessed with eight children. Floyd and Virginia were married for 61 years and would have celebrated 62 years of marriage on July 2, 2025.
He graduated in 1964 from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s degree in math. After graduating, he began a career as a teacher and a coach that spanned 50 years. Floyd taught math, physical education, health, and coached wrestling. After four years working in Saratoga and Lusk, Wyoming, he returned to the University of Wyoming to pursue a master’s degree in physical education and graduated in 1970.
Floyd then moved his family to Idaho Falls, Idaho, and began coaching and teaching at Skyline High School. After 14 years in Idaho, he returned to Wyoming and became the wrestling coach at Northwest College in Powell.
Floyd hung up his wrestling shoes in 1991 after 27 years of coaching but continued teaching at Northwest College. He served as a Division Chair and was instrumental in getting the nursing program established and in the construction of the Yellowstone Building to house the nursing program.
Floyd had an impressive coaching career. As a high school coach, his teams won 15 district championships and seven state championships. As a collegiate coach, his team placed three times at nationals, and five years in a row, they placed third or better in academic team rankings, winning the national title in 1987. Floyd was Wyoming Coach of the Year in 1966, the 1977 Coach of the Year sports writers’ pick, and was the Idaho Coach of the Year four times; 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1984. In 1982, he was the United States Wrestling Federation National Coach of the Year, the 1984 NHSACA District 7 Wrestling Coach of the Year, and in 2001, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Idaho chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Floyd loved Powell; he served a term on the school board, and in 2008, he decided to run for the city council. He was elected as a councilman for Ward 2 with overwhelming support. He ran for reelection four times without any opposition, most recently winning in November 2024. Floyd loved serving the people of Powell and served as a councilman for 16 years. He had hoped to finish his current term.
Floyd was known by many titles: Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Missionary, Bishop, Coach, Teacher, Uncle, Friend, Councilman and Disciple of Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia; and his eight children Tanya Butz, Russel (Jennifer), Robert (Karen), John (Jennifer), Wendy (Wade) Fike, Bruce (Jennifer), Julie (Stephen) Cantrell, and Kelli (Anthony) Crosby; 43 grandchildren; soon to be 25 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Alvin (Gaela) Young and Stephen (Peggy) Young.
Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Edna, and one daughter-in-law, Christine Laws.
A celebration of Floyd’s life will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Avenue E building, with visitation one hour prior to services. Interment will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Powell, Wyoming.
