Lauren Donald Young

Longtime Roseburg business owner and community leader Lauren Donald Young passed away in his home on Sept. 11, 2025. He was 92.

Born in Valley Falls, OR to James and Ethel Young on March 31, 1933 Lauren was one of six children.

From an early age, Lauren learned the value of hard work and perseverance. The Great Depression had not yet released its grip on the nation and dark clouds were forming the makings of WW II in Europe. 

In high school, Lauren met the love of his life, Dena Brown, and they remained together the rest of his life, celebrating their 74th anniversary last June.

After working several odd jobs in the Eastern Oregon area of Lakeview, Lauren and Dena wanted a business of their own and in 1960 they mortgaged their home and bought a small tire business.

“It was tough sledding,” he remembered.“We made it that year, but we weren’t gaining.”His lack of knowledge about the tire business didn’t discourage Lauren.“Because I grew up on a farm I was adaptable and I was no stranger to hard work,” he recalled in a memoir.

After turning the business around, Lauren and Dena decided it was time to move to a larger market. Their two daughters (Carmen Young and Carla Cameron), were already in high school, so the family headed for Roseburg in 1969, where they opened Lauren Young Tire Center, in collaboration with their long-time business associate Les Schwab.

For the next 56 years, their business and family would blossom. 

Lauren was involved in numerous civic and service organizations, including Wildlife Safari, Lions Club, Presbyterian Church and the Umpqua Valley Tennis Club, where Lauren and Dena pursued their love for tennis.

Lauren leaves behind his wife, Dena; daughters Carla (and son-in-law Scott Cameron) and Carmen and numerous grand children, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life is planned for Sunday, Oct. 26 at 12:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds’ Community Conference Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Boys & Girls Club of the Umpqua Valley

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