Roy Carriel Young

Roy Carriel Young, 85, of Tallahassee, FL, passed away peacefully on Aug. 3, 2026, at Big Bend Hospice. Born into humble beginnings on July 8, 1941, in Martinsville, VA, to Percy and Edna Mae Young, Roy grew up with a love for the mountains and was instilled with a strong sense of curiosity, loyalty and community. He attended Bassett High School, where he excelled in both football and baseball, as well as academics. He received a scholarship to play quarterback for the University of Richmond, where he also pledged the Theta Chi fraternity. After a few fainting spells in pre-med classes, Roy quickly realized that he instead was destined to study and practice law. While in his junior year at Richmond in September 1961, Roy was introduced to Rose Marie Del Fabro, who quickly captivated his heart. The two were married a year later on Sept. 8, 1962, during his senior year at Richmond. Following his graduation, the couple moved to Charlottesville, where he earned a law degree from the University of Virginia while Rose Marie worked as a legal secretary at a local firm. The two were truly a dynamic duo throughout their marriage, complementing one another always. After passing both the Virginia and Florida Bar exams, Roy accepted a job with the Knight, Jones & Whitaker Law Firm in Tampa, FL, as an associate in 1966. Three months after relocating to the Sunshine State, the couple welcomed their son, Tony, and quickly found their place personally and professionally in both the legal community and Tampa Bay area. Three years later, the couple welcomed a daughter, Susan, completing their family. After a successful initial legal career in Tampa, Roy was entrusted to help open a new branch office of the Holland & Knight Law Firm in Tallahassee in 1971. Roy and Rose Marie quickly adopted the Seminoles of Florida State University as their home team, becoming one of the first Golden Chief boosters with Roy also serving on the FSU Foundation board. For more than 50 years, the couple proudly supported FSU, Virginia and Richmond with their time, talent and treasure. Roy practiced law with the same focus and precision as his academic and athletic endeavors, eventually joining and becoming a partner with the Brown, Smith & Young Law Firm in Tallahassee. Within only a few years, he rose to become senior partner with a rebranded firm of Young, van Assenderp, Varnadoe & Benton. Over many years practicing law as a corporate attorney, lobbying and mediating, Roy was involved in countless policy decisions and developed relationships that impacted progress in a flourishing state. Throughout his career, he served on many local boards and supported a wide variety of charities and causes – but formed an especially strong affinity for Big Bend Hospice. Roy was also highly involved in initiatives that helped the city and state prosper, never losing his sense of stewardship. Roy had a lifelong passion for playing golf, and while he surely excelled at practicing law, would have traded it for the opportunity to play golf professionally. Over the years, he was a member of local country clubs Killearn, Golden Eagle and his favorite Capital City, where he also served as president for many years. Roy enjoyed playing rounds of golf regularly with so many good friends at courses throughout the Southeast, and he and Rose Marie cherished their annual golf vacations with a beloved friend group – trips that allowed them to experience the best courses and destinations in the country and world. While Roy loved practicing the law and curating his golf skills, what he loved and appreciated most was his family and many friends. He cherished his time with loved ones, enjoying thoughtful conversations, dinners that began with a gin and tonic, road trips and endless ballgames. Always encouraging others to find a sense of purpose and take pride in one’s community, Roy regularly sought opportunities to contribute to lesser-known causes, anonymously donating to those in need or whose potential would benefit from his assistance. He was generous in mind and spirit, leaving a true legacy both personally and professionally. Roy was preceded in death by his father Percy, mother Edna Mae, brother Willie Maxie and sister Mae Phillips. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Rose Marie, son Tony and daughter-in-law Katie Young, daughter Susan and son-in-law Scott Harris, and grandchildren Hunter Harris (and wife Shelby), Conner Harris, Cheyenne Young and Isabella Young. A celebration of Roy’s life will be held at Capital City Country Club on Saturday, Aug. 22. The time is TBA. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Roy Carriel Young

July 8, 1941 - August 3, 2026