D. Gary Young facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
D. Gary Young
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Young in November 2010
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| Born | July 11, 1949 Idaho
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| Died | May 12, 2018 (aged 68) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Former CEO of Young Living |
Donald Gary Young (born July 11, 1949 – died May 12, 2018) was an American businessman. He was known for his work with essential oils and alternative medicine. Young founded and led Young Living, a company based in Utah. This company sells essential oils and dietary supplements.
Contents
About D. Gary Young
Early Life and Learning
Gary Young was born on July 11, 1949. His family lived in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They were a ranching family and did not have much money. Their small home had no running water or electricity. Gary was one of six children. He grew up in a Mormon family. He went to high school in Challis, Idaho.
After finishing school in 1967, he worked for the US Forest Service for a short time. Then he moved to Canada. He wanted to start a new life there. When he was 24, Young had a serious accident while working with logs. He had to use a wheelchair for a while.
Later, he studied nutrition and herbology at home. He also worked as a truck driver and did other jobs. He hauled goods and worked on a pipeline in Fairbanks, Alaska. In 1979, Young went to the Burroughs Vita-Flex Institute. He also studied at Donsbach Nutrition University. He took classes in therapeutic massage too. In the early 1980s, he attended Spokane Community College. He later said he earned a special degree in naturopathy in 1985.
Starting His Career
In 1982, Young opened a health center in Spokane, Washington. This center offered different health services. In 1983, authorities looked into his work. Young was told not to practice medicine in Washington. He was also asked to follow similar rules in other states.
In 1986, Young worked at a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. He called himself a naturopathic doctor. The clinic offered "detoxification" treatments. People questioned if these treatments really worked. A reporter even tested the clinic. They sent animal blood samples. The clinic staff thought the samples were human. They said the "patient" had a serious illness. Young also started another clinic in Chula Vista, California. This clinic was later asked to close down. In 1988, there were concerns about his business. People questioned his claims about curing illnesses.
In 2000, Young opened the Young Life Research Clinic. This clinic was in Springville, Utah. It offered essential oils and other natural therapies. People came for different health issues. In 2004, a clinic worker faced issues. They were doing health tests and giving products to patients. The clinic also had a doctor whose license was suspended before. In 2005, the clinic settled a case with a patient. The patient said a treatment caused health problems. After this, Young closed the Utah clinic. He opened a new one in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Founding Young Living
In 1993, Young and his wife, Mary, started Young Living Essential Oils. They began the company in Riverton, Utah. Later, they moved it to Lehi, Utah. By 2017, Young Living became a very large seller of essential oils. It had over three million customers. Young stopped being the CEO in 2015. His wife, Mary Young, then took over the role.
The company has faced some challenges. There were safety concerns after an employee died in 2000. Between 2013 and 2014, some people reported bad reactions to products. In 2017, the company shared that it had illegally brought in some oils. In 2019, a lawsuit suggested the company's business model was not fair.
Personal Life
Young married Donna Jean Young in 1968. They later divorced in 1983.
His second wife was named Dixie. In 1994, Young married his third wife, Mary. Mary was a trained opera singer. Gary had eight children from his earlier marriages. He had two sons with Mary: Jacob and Josef.
Young passed away on May 12, 2018. He died in Salt Lake City. His wife, Mary, said he died from problems after having strokes. However, his son Shawn said his father died because of cancer.
