Morgan Young was the oldest of Mark and Kathy Young's four children. The Bountiful High School graduate and Eagle Scout studied briefly at Weber State University before leaving for a mission in March 2004.

He planned to study computer science at Brigham Young University upon his return.

Winslow Young showed members of the news media a family portrait in which Morgan Young is sticking up two fingers in bunny-ears fashion behind the head of his younger brother, Brennan. That was true Morgan, Winslow Young said — someone who liked to joke and have fun.

"He was such a vibrant, good young man," Winslow Young said. "He loved the mission. He loved the people of Virginia."

The rest of the Young family was emotionally distraught as they packed for an emergency trip to Virginia, Winslow Young said. A local church leader drove them to the airport, where they boarded a flight to Virginia. They arrived an hour after Morgan Young died from organ failure.

Morgan Young wasn't one of the athletes in the large group of young men his age in the family's LDS ward, said Bob Stringham, a ward member who has a son Morgan's age.

But to earn a Boy Scout merit badge, Morgan joined a Junior Jazz team Stringham coached, and though he didn't look the part of a basketball player, he had a good attitude about playing.

"This is the worst of all nightmares," Stringham said. "I'm brokenhearted."

Stringham watched Morgan grow up from a 12-year-old boy to a quiet and good-natured young man who loved computers. Before his mission, Morgan worked at Pace's Dairy Ann and was loved by his co-workers, Stringham said.

"We've always been proud of what he's done," Stringham said. "He got called in a different direction, I guess."

"He was the savior in my eyes," said Martin, a petty officer first class in the Navy. "Elder Young was instrumental in my rebaptism. . . . I was one of the fortunate few that got to hear Elder Young's preaching."

Martin described Morgan Young as a father figure — a kind, genuine man who was always willing to answer questions about teachings of the LDS Church. Young frequently came to the Martin household for dinners with Eric, his wife and 3-year-old son.

"He called me Brother Martin before I got baptized," Martin said. "He looked at me as one of God's children. He never turned his shoulder on me. He was very compassionate and loving towards me."

Martin said he was shocked when he heard of Young's death because the missionary was extremely cautious and was always attentive to the safety of himself and others.

"He completed his mission for his church and his mission for life," Martin said.

Winslow Young said he doesn't known when Morgan's body will be released from the medical examiner in Virginia, but he said a funeral is likely to be scheduled early next week.

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Contributing: Associated Press, KSL-TV

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E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com; astowell@desnews.com