Courtesy Roxane Whyte
Stained glass window by Mapleton’s David Young.
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- Stained glass window by Mapleton’s David Young.
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- David Young poses for a prior to his death with his stained glass window.
Mapleton’s David Young couldn’t stop doing things. Whether it was “old man ADHD” or dealing with the death of his wife, he just couldn’t stay still.
Young used to bake 8-10 loaves of bread for his neighborhood every week. He’d make sure the church was clean for Sunday worship, made treats for the nearly 100 children primary children at church and for three years he worked on, and eventually completed, a 26-foot-by-5-foot stained glass and lead window for his home.
“He was extremely generous, and if he became aware of a need, he made an effort to fill it,” said Roxane Whyte, a neighbor. “One Christmas, he approached a local salon owner stating that he had been thinking that there are probably a lot of mothers that don’t have the opportunity to take good care of themselves since they are always so busy helping others, and he purchased $600 in gift cards that the owner could use at her discretion to help provide a special Christmas gift spa treatment to make their holiday bright.”
He was a friend to all, and most people that he encountered left his presence feeling like they were more like family because of the genuine interest and compassion he shared, Whyte added.
Courtesy Roxane Whyte
David Young poses for a prior to his death with his stained glass window.
Last February, at the age of 87, the former dentist from Whittier, Calif. passed away. While settling his estate, none of his children had space for the stained glass. Still, they would like to see it find a home because it can’t stay at the old house.
The 7-panel piece of art depicts the Utah countryside with mountains, a river, wild flowers, trees and deer.
His home was recently sold and the new owners intend to use the house as a rental. Therefore, they would like the piece out as soon as possible.
“He was our next-door neighbor, and we watched the beauty of his labors unfold over several years and rejoiced with him when it was finally installed,” Whyte said. “Now that he is gone, I feel an obligation to help the piece go to a good home. David’s family would love to donate it to a local entity.”
The piece is lit from behind with LED lights. The family has extra lights, brand new, that they are willing to donate along with the piece. A sheet of clear glass has been mounted to the front and back of each pane to help the work hold its shape, Whyte said.
Knowing that the mural is very long and heavy, the outer panes could be removed, leaving several of the inner panes for display to accommodate a smaller display space. The family is open to options and possible venues, according to Whyte.
The cost, undetermined at this time, would be in taking it down and the reinstallation.
Whyte is hoping to find a new home for it quickly as the new owners hope to have it removed by March 1. Civic organizations or churches interested in the piece can contact Whyte at 801-472-1144 or by email at [email protected].
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