Don Gay Van Dyke

Lyman, Utah - Don Gay Van Dyke, 83 died May 10, 2021 at his home in Lyman, Utah. He was born January 24, 1938 in Richfield, Utah to Delmar H. and Romania Carrell Van Dyke. He grew up in Lyman. Gay enjoyed family time with his dad, brothers and cousins when he was young. He graduated from Wayne High School in 1957. He met the love of his life Marielin Huish in Pleasant Grove, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple, August 29, 1958. They had ten children they dearly love. Leading by example he taught them to be hardworking, resourceful, kind, always giving and respectful to others. Gay enjoyed many family trips exploring new places and building memories with his children and grandchildren. Gay spent most of his life in Lyman and briefly lived in Hanksville and in the Salt Lake area for a few years prior to his fathers death in 1965. He came back to raise his family and care for the family farm, raising potatoes, grains, hay and sheep. He worked for the Wayne School District as Maintenance Supervisor for 35 years, retiring in 2002. Gay was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had various callings. He enjoyed the temple especially seeing his children and grandchildren be sealed. Gay is known for his hard working hands, and talented mechanical mind. He stayed busy fixing radios, TV’s, cars and farm equipment and creating in his carpentry or rock shop. He obtained many guns and enjoyed hunting and shooting with his father, brothers and sons. He was a humble man who loved babies and children. There was always one or more in his arms. Later as the grandchildren were not around as much, he developed an endearing bond with some kittens his brother gave him. Since then he has had several cats that were dear to him and provided comfort in later years. Over the years there are family memories of logging, hauling animals, crops and getting ice cream in his father’s 1960 Ford F600 big red farm truck. Gay promised his father he would take good care of his prized truck. Recently a son and other family members restored the truck. It was a memorable moment for all when it was presented to him in April. The family would like offer heartfelt thanks to Gunnison Valley Hospice and Home Health for caring for Gay during his final days. Gay is survived by his loving wife Marielin; children Susan (Alan) Kent, Rulon (Becky) Van Dyke, LeGrand (Sally) Van Dyke, Joyce Van Dyke, Lynn (Annette) Van Dyke, Gaylene (Mark) Greenwood, Bruce (Jenny) Van Dyke, Erin (Tammi) Van Dyke, Tonia (Joshua) Lewis; thirty-five grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; brother Alden (Montez) Van Dyke, sister Beverly (Lloyd) Beichner; he was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Blake Van Dyke, Merrill Van Dyke, Larry Van Dyke; sister Faye Cannon; son Daniel Van Dyke. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. in the Lyman LDS Ward Building, where friends may call for viewing from 10:30 to 12:30 prior to the service. A live stream of the services can be found about 15 minutes prior to the service at springerturner.com underneath Gay’s obituary. Burial will be in the Lyman Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina, Utah.