Dr. Richard Smith "D.Y" Youngs DDS

ADRIAN- Dr. Richard Smith “D.Y.” Youngs, DDS, 99, of Adrian, died early Wednesday morning, July 6, 2022, at the Hospice of Lenawee Home. Born September 17, 1922, in Adrian, he was the only child of Lawrence and Marjorie (Smith) Youngs. After graduating from Flint Central High School, he continued his education at Albion College and Northwestern University Dental School. A proud Korean War Veteran, he served in the United States Army in the Dental Corps. On August 2, 1947, he married Lela Bennett in New Haven, Michigan. Together they took numerous trips to Cape Cod and Mackinac Island, enjoyed over 50 years at their Devils Lake cottage, where he was Past Commodore of the Devil’s Lake Yacht Club. D.Y. loved to water ski and continued to do so until the age of 90. Lela and he also enjoyed bike riding. Together they spent many years pedaling countless miles on their bicycles. Lela preceded him in death in July of 2017, just a few days shy of their 70th wedding anniversary. D.Y. practiced dentistry in Adrian for 44 years. He was active in many professional organizations, serving as past president of the Jackson District Dental Society and as the President of the Michigan Dental Society, and was a member of the American College of Dentists. For many years he presented dental clinics throughout the United States. Locally, he was a member of the Adrian Kiwanis Club, which honored him with the Hixon Fellow, a charter member of the Lenawee Civil War Round Table, and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a member of Adrian Planning Commission and served on several boards including the Adrian Chamber of Commerce, Jr. Achievement, and Lenawee County Historical Society. A true Historian, he had life-long interest in both local and Civil War history which he shared during presentations for local organizations. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Adrian. Surviving are his children: Kristin (Dane) Nelson, Terri (Michael) Clark and Richard “Mooch” (Jackie) Youngs; grandchildren: Brett (Anessa) Nelson, Andrew Nelson, Lauren (Luke) Kennard, Sarah (Joanie Denby) Clark, Melissa (Justin) Fischer, Laura (Ryan) Symington, Liz Clark, Ian Youngs and Johnny Youngs; and great-grandchildren: Jack and Lillian Fischer, Bennett, Harrison, and Quinn Kennard, and Annika and Katja Nelson. D.Y. was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved wife, Lela. Funeral services for D.Y. will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at the First Presbyterian Church of Adrian with the Revs. Dean and Ellen McGormley officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, where military honors will be conducted by Annis Flint Post #1584 and the American Legion Post #97. Visitation for D.Y. will take place on Friday, July 8, 2022 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian, and again on Saturday at the Presbyterian Church beginning at 9:00 a.m. and continuing until the time of the service. The family strongly encourages those attending to please wear a mask. The family suggests that memorial contributions to honor D.Y. be made to the First Presbyterian Church Adrian, Hospice of Lenawee, or the Lenawee County Historical Museum, an organization that D.Y. kept very near and dear to his heart and was a charter member. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

Dr. Richard Smith "D.Y" Youngs DDS

September 17, 1922 - July 6, 2022