Christopher Michael De Young passed away on September 21, 2016. He was born in Duarte, California on August 27, 1973 to Michael and Barbara (Maxwell) De Young. Chris and his three brothers, Jonathan, Benjamin, and Matthew moved with their parents to Pocatello, Idaho in 1976 where he attended schools and was an active member of the Pocatello/Blackfoot swim club throughout childhood, including at Pocatello High School. Driven and hard-working, even as a young adult, Chris set a personal goal to swim at the university level and moved to Hyrum, Utah to train under Coach Toby at Mountain Crest High School his senior year. Christopher was recruited to swim for the University of Wyoming on scholarship and, as an all-around swimmer specializing in freestyle, was a four-year letter winner. With some lingering credit requirements needed to finish his undergraduate degree, Chris had to find a way to pay tuition for an additional year of coursework; he surprised everyone by landing another athletic scholarship through the UW Spirit Program Coed Team and helped lead the crowds at War Memorial in cheering on the Cowboys for a year!
He met his future wife, Janine Jordan, at UW and, after a few years of friendship, his humble, beguiling charm, ceaseless smile, and deep love of life convinced her to go on a first date of skiing in the Snowy Range. They were married the afternoon of October 30, 1999 and, later that evening, attended the Saturday night Halloween costume party at the Buckhorn in downtown Laramie dressed as bride and groom to many cheers and toasts. Chris became a father with the birth of his daughter, Jordan De Young, in 2000 and two years later a son, Maxwell De Young.
The absolute, single greatest joy of Christopher’s life was his children. He was a full hands-on daddy, standing alongside Jordan and Max every day teaching, comforting, encouraging, and guiding. He was unremittingly proud of the young adults they had grown to be. Chris and his wife talked often about how proud they were of their kids’ dedication in working to accomplish their goals, from learning to walk as toddlers to school work or sports, and Janine would tell him “they just take after their father.” Chris never gave only a part of himself or made half an effort, he gave his all to everything he did and to everyone around him. His children lovingly teased him about being a “nerd” when he played his vintage 1977 Star Wars board game with them or, when his daughter recently joined a gaming group, ceremoniously gifted her the D&D dice set from his own high school days.
Chris loved his family, friends, and coworkers very much and wanted nothing more than to be of service, to help where he could, and to celebrate each day in fellowship with others. His calling became his profession as he chose to be a registered nurse, specializing in critical and emergency room care for twelve years at Ivinson Memorial Hospital and Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins. In 2011, he graduated with honors from the University of Wyoming with a MA in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner. Chris talked often about his professional family including all of Laramie’s first responders, hospital staff, and his medical colleagues throughout Southeast Wyoming and Northern Colorado.
He devoted endless hours to the Laramie Swim Club volunteering as Meet Director, serving on the Board of Directors and helping out any way he could. Chris may be the only middle-aged parent-volunteer in the history of the Swim Club or Laramie High School Plainsmen/Lady Plainsmen Swimming daring enough to don a suit in the presence of teenagers, jump in the pool, and practice right alongside the kids – sometimes even beating them! He loved drag racing, fishing and camping, reading science fiction fantasy novels, working on classic cars, swimming and water polo, shooting, gaming, and would try anything more than once.
Christopher was preceded in death by his father, Michael De Young of Pocatello, Idaho and a niece.
He is survived by his wife, Janine Jordan, and two children, Jordan and Maxwell De Young of Laramie; his mother and step-father Barbara and Dennis Bergendorf of Frankfort, Indiana; his brothers Jonathan, Benjamin, and Matthew De Young of Pocatello Idaho; step-siblings Dennis Bergendorf II and Christine Paulsen of Pocatello, Idaho; and twenty-five nieces and nephews.
The family has established the Chris De Young Memorial Scholarship Fund, for the benefit of the Laramie Swim Club. The scholarship fund will help ensure every child may learn to swim and has the opportunity to develop self-motivation, individual pride, and sportsmanship within the swimming community. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Chris De Young Memorial Scholarship Fund may be made to UniWyo Federal Credit Union, 1610 E. Reynolds Street, Laramie, WY 82072. Beginning September 27th, an on-line donation option will be available on the UniWyo website at www.uniwyo.com.
A celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 28th at the Gryphon Theatre, 710 E. Garfield, with the Reverend Rhett Ivey, officiating. Everyone is invited to a reception following the services at the Train Depot.
In you I take refuge In you I will not be afraid For you hold me strong, you hold me safe Calm my fearful heart O God Still my anxious mind O Lord For all my Life is found in you All my being is given to you All my hope begins in you Life is a precious gift given to us all. Take time for the people that love you.
To the De Young family, I am sincerely sorry for your loss. I got to know Chris recently as a student nurse in the ER. He is a fantastic person. Great at his job. Always willing to share his knowledge and a laugh. It deeply upset me to hear about his passing. Know that there is a community of people that are willing to help with whatever you may need.
To Chris's Family, Chris was a. class act. He always took great care of me in the ER. I could always follow-up with him if needed. Heaven has a new angel who will always be with you. I hope you can take comfort in the legacy Chris has left.
My thoughts and prayers are with Chris's family and friends and with everyone's lives he touched. God bless him.
To the De Young family - please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time and the difficult times ahead. Thank you for sharing your husband, father, brother and son with all of us in Laramie. He will be with you always. God Bless you and smile when you see a rainbow, that is him smiling down on you all.
To the De Young Family - our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing your husband, father, brother, and son with us here in Laramie. God Bless and know he is with you all. Smile when you see a rainbow and know that it's him smiling down on you.
I was so sad to hear the news last week. I had the privilege of working with Chris at PVH in the ER. He was so supportive of me, as I worked my way through nursing school as an ER tech. He always asked how classes were, or had an exam had gone, or how my small boys were. He was one my biggest encouragers. After nursing school, I had the great opportunity to work with him as a nurse. He taught me so many things, both small and large. He always had a smile for everyone, but I never saw that smile brighter than when he talked of his wife and children. It was obvious to all how much he not only loved them, but respected and admired them. He truly valued their friendship. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us. He will be greatly missed. Andrea Jennings Sloan
We offer our deepest condolences to Janine and her children for the untimely loss of a fine husband and father. We hope very much that the many wonderful memories you have of him will help sustain you and support your spirits.
Janine, Jordan, and Max, I consider myself privileged to have known Chris. His kind, considerate, jovial manner, and ability to remain positive through the stressors of life were incredible attributes, and I always admired his well-centered, compassionate, and humored approach to any challenges he faced. You are all in my thoughts in these difficult moments. My condolences, Doug
Our prayers are with all of you. Angels take care of us every day. He will be with you forever with his care and love. God bless all of you.
Please know that you all are in our prayers. Angel hugs are real. You will have his every day. God Bless all of you.
Dear Janine, Jordan and Max, My thoughts and heart are with you at this very sad time. I wish I could be there today to help celebrate Chris's amazing life and who he was. Sending you all much love, Jannie
Oh, Edith! How sad to read about the loss of your nephew Christopher. It's particularly hard to lose someone younger than you in the family, one you've known since his birth. Sounds like he was an outstanding young man (no surprise, given he was your nephew); an especially tragic loss given his children are teenagers. My condolences to you, your sister and the rest of your family.
We hold your family in prayer asking for comfort &peace from our HEAVENLY FATHER to all. We know Larry&Reggie from Arizona & have high regard for them therefore we feel their pain & yours. ..Perle&Judy O'Daniel from S.D.
There are no words. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Me and my entire family are deeply saddened by the news of Dr.DeYoung...He saved my life had he not second guessed the attending the night I was diagnosed with my second dvt I would be dead today...Me and my family will keep him and his family in r prayers and in r hearts for ever...
I would like to say that I'm so very sorry that you and your family have to go through such a loss of a great man. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I had the opportunity a few times to have Chris as our NP at the hospital. Everytime we saw him he was great at the care he gave and made sure we were taking care of. On Monday before his passing , my daughter was struggling to breathe and Chris was there and he jumped right in and made my baby girl better . He got her to breathe. I'm so ever thankful for Chris and all he did . So thank you again chris. :) God bless you all.
To the De Young family, We are so incredibly sorry for your loss. I worked with Chris in Ivinson emergency department for years. We had many laughs and worked together as a wonderful team. He was dedicated to his patients and his coworkers. My husband enjoyed joking with Chris....the laughter and joking kept us going. I am thankful to have that time with such a good man. God bless all of you in this difficult time. Rachel and Guy Morrow
Janine, Jordan, and Max-- We send heartfelt condolences and wishes for peace to you and the family as you navigate the loss of Chris. Our thoughts go with you. Sarah Strauss, Carrick Eggleston, Lia and Rory Eggleston
To the De Young family, We are so incredibly sorry for your loss. I worked with Chris in Ivinson emergency department for years. We had many laughs and worked together as a wonderful team. He was dedicated to his patients and his coworkers. My husband enjoyed joking with Chris....the laughter and joking kept us going. I am thankful to have that time with such a good man. God bless all of you in this difficult time. Rachel and Guy Morrow
Janine, Jordan & Max, So sorry for your loss. Our hearts hurt for your you all. May you be blessed with all the wonderful memories of Chris and your dad. He always had a positive smile on his face that was contagious. We pray for strength, healing and comfort for you all. The Cossairt Family ( Garth, Stephenie, Owen, Hank & Cord)
So sorry for your loss. He was a great guy. I had the privilege of knowing him and Jordan. We would visit about his kids when I had to take mine in the ER for what ever reason and he was tge one taking care of them. They were slwsys more at ease when they seen it was him. My daughter knew him a little more thanks to swimming and being friends with Jordan and Max. We will keep you in our prayers. If there is anything we can do please let us know. Max knows how to get a hold of my daughter, SayDree.
To Chris' Family: I wanted to write and say how genuinely saddened my husband and I are to learn of the passing of your dear family member. We only met him once, during an ER visit at Ivinson a couple of weeks ago. He made such a lasting impression on us with his mix of professionalism, care, humility, humor, and kindness. We discussed what a fine nurse he was, how at ease we felt with him, and how unique he was as a medical provider. I'm not surprised to read about his life and learn that he was truly extraordinary in all realms of his life. We are praying and joining the community in sending you our warmest thoughts and deepest caring. Mark and Susie Markus
Janine, Jordan, and Max, I had the honor and privilege of having your husband and father as a student in UW's FNP program. I first met Chris during his interview for the FNP program in the spring of 2009 and vividly recall being struck by his kind, gentle spirit. During the program, he did not disappoint. Over the next few years, I delighted in watching this large man with a keen mind and Teddy Bear heart, help and heal the lives of many. After he graduated in 2011, I then had the privilege of hearing praises of Chris from countless patients, NP students, and co-workers who had experienced his unique mix of clinical expertise, humor, and kindness. Chris DeYoung was one in a zillion. God broke the mold after he created Chris, and your loss is HUGE. I will never forget Chris and will always remember him as one of the finest graduates from UW's FNP program.. - May you be comforted in the days and weeks ahead by all the love and memories you shared and created with Chris. The three of you and all of your family and co-workers are in my prayers. I pray that you may experience God's peace - that passes all understanding.- Ann Marie Hart