Robert Young

Robert “Froggy” Young

“Come what, come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day.”

                                                                                            William Shakespeare

On June 25th, 2020, after several weeks of declining health, our father, grandfather and friend, Robert “Froggy” Young Sr., passed into eternity.   He was in his 82nd year.

Affectionately known as “Froggy” all his life, Robert Lee Young was born on June 22nd, 1938, at Stanaford. One of two sons, his parents were Arthur and Maxine Trail Young.  When he was five, Froggy lost his father to melanoma cancer at the age of 39.   Later on, his mother would marry Lucky Abbot.   Froggy and his brother, Marion always spoke very highly of Lucky.   His brother, Marion passed away last year in Arizona.

When we recall Froggy Young, we will remember his love of sports.  Early in life, when as a young boy growing up in the coal fields of Beckley, he attended Raleigh Mining Institute School, a coal camp school where he was first introduced to basketball.     

 Frog started Beckley Junior High in the 8th grade and played baseball for the Black Knight County Club in the Warren Williams League.  He graduated Woodrow Wilson High School (WWHS) in 1957 where he excelled in football, basketball and track, running hurdles and shot putt.  He was a member of the Woodrow Wilson state championship basketball team of 1957, and was inducted into the WWHS Hall of Fame.

From Woodrow, Froggy went on to attend West Virginia Institute of Technology where he received a football scholarship and played record setting football as a halfback and running back, compiling many historical stats.  He was inducted into the WV Tech Hall of Fame.  Just out of college he received a letter from the Dallas Cowboys to come play for them, although he declined.  The letter was framed and always hung on the ‘wall of fame’ in the den. Froggy recalled, “In those days, teaching paid more.”   And so it was, Froggy dedicated his career to teaching and coaching. 

Upon graduation from WV Tech he married Sally Bunch of Beckley and started his family.  He served as an assistant coach in basketball, football and track at Woodrow Wilson High School before moving to Wirt County High School (Elizabeth, WV).  He was the head coach, where he led the school to a state class A football championship in 1966. For many years, Froggy remained close to folks around the community of Elizabeth.

Froggy returned to Beckley where he was head coach at Park Junior High. While coaching football at Park he went seven years undefeated.   During his time at Park, he went back to graduate school and received his master’s degree from Marshall University.  He was inducted into the WV Legends Hall of Fame, by Tex Williams, the legendary high school and college basketball coach.

But there was more to Froggy that just his athletic ability and achievements.   He had a love for life and a zest for living.  

Froggy and Sally loved to dance.  After they retired they learned to 2-step county dance and line dance.  They became involved at the Raleigh County Senior Citizens Center where he was on the Board of Directors.  At the Center, he taught line dancing, where he recorded the music and even choreographed the line dances.  The dance group would go monthly to other local senior centers and perform their line dancing.  Froggy also loved history, fishing, hunting, searching for shark’s teeth at the beach and babysitting his grandchildren. 

On February 15th, 2014, Sally passed away of an apparent heart attack.   At the end of the day, we like to remember all the good times, the fun events, that made Froggy special in all our lives.  

He leaves to cherish his memory his three children, Matthew D. Young of Atlanta, GA, Robin J. DeMarchi of Charleston, WV and Robert L. Young, Jr. and his wife, Kelly of Beckley; grandchildren, Megan Young of Mullens, WV; Brody and Emerson Young of Beckley; Aubrey Massey (husband, Rocco) of Beckley; Makenzie Trostle of Beckley, and Tanner Powell (husband, Patrick) of PA; and great-grandchildren Chloe, Cayden and Maya and a host of freinds. 

And so the day closes on the life of Froggy Young.  He passes into the shadows with other classmates, friends and family members.   Their lights still shine, the passage of time may dim the brightness, but to those who remember and recall the good days, the good times, the fondness of sweet remembrance, the candle will still burn bright.

What better way to remember Froggy’s life than a celebration at the Paul Cline Soccer Complex on Saturday, August 1st at 6:00 pm.  For the safety of all during this most difficult time a drive by visitation will be held from 4 to 6 pm

Memorial scholarship contributions can be made payable to and mailed to: Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main St., Suite 301, Beckley, WV 25801.  Please note - Woodrow Wilson High School Class of ’57 Scholarship Fund in memory of Robert ‘Frog’ Young. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Young, please visit our floral store.