Clair Robert Young, 78, of Des Moines, formerly of Ottumwa, went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 11:56 p.m. October 26, 2024 at his home.
He was born November 2, 1945 in Ottumwa to Carl and Barbara Fleener Young. Clair married Sherry F. Evans on September 12, 1965.
A 1963 graduate of Ottumwa High School, Clair was a U.S. Army veteran, serving 13 months in Korea. He worked 30 years at John Deere Ottumwa Works.
Clair had been a member of Ottumwa Baptist Temple for 51 years where he had served as Sunday school superintendent and as a Deacon and Trustee. He also served on the Finance Committee and Hall security.
Clair enjoyed hunting, fishing (especially night fishing at the hydro) and camping. He enjoyed building cars and working on street rods. He and his wife remodeled houses and Clair was a master garage builder.
Surviving is his wife, Sherry; their children, Clair Robert “Roby” (Hannah) Young II of Wellman, Todd (Alma) Young of Waukee and Torey (Mindy) Young of Ottumwa; 4 grandchildren, Tayler (Breanna) Young, Mason Young, Nathaniel Young and Olivia Young; a great-granddaughter, Gracelyn Mae Young; and 2 sisters-in-law, Linda Young of Indianola and Pat (Larry) Lynch of Des Moines.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Karl Young; a sister, Judy Taylor and sister-in-law, Debra Evans..
Visitation will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 30th at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, October 31st, at Ottumwa Baptist Temple with Pastor Travis Decker and Pastor Greg Lockett officiating.
Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery with military honors conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion.
Memorials may be made to Ottumwa Baptist Temple or MercyOne Hospice.