Don H. Edwards

Gunnison, Utah - Our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Don Harrison Edwards, 94, returned home to his Heavenly Father on Saturday, November 2, 2019, where he was met by his wife, family, and loved ones. Don passed away peacefully of natural causes in Payson, Utah, surrounded by family with his son Leslie and grandson Matthew holding his hands. Don was born April 15, 1925, in Hiawatha, Utah, to Stanley Harrison and Ruby Miller Edwards. Born into the Great Depression, he quickly learned the meaning of hard work. Soon after his father’s passing, when Don was only ten, he took on the role of head of household and began working as a shepherd at a remote sheep farm. Left alone for many months throughout the winter, Don worked diligently and without complaint, sending money home to his mother to help support his siblings. Throughout his life, Don continued to work hard in the service of others and our country. Prior to his deployment in the US Army during WWII, he met Ila Duffin at a local restaurant and quickly fell in love. They were married on June 28, 1944, in the Manti LDS Temple and spent sixty-nine loving years together before her passing on January 1, 2014. Don worked many jobs, including operating a sugar cane factory, transporting coal, and owning both Edwards Painting and Edwards Decorating alongside his wife, Ila. Later in life, Don spent many years as an ordinance worker in the Manti Temple and deeply loved his work there. He will be remembered for his everlasting kindness, positivity, strength, and warmth. Don touched countless lives during his time with us and shaped so much of who we are. He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed. He is survived by his children: Larry Don (Debbie), Leslie H. (Carrie), Melanie Hammond (Cory), 11 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren, and a brother Robert Edwards of Centerfield. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ila Edwards; son, Blake Melvin Edwards; grandson, Colby Blake Edwards; parents; and siblings. The family expresses deep gratitude for the extraordinarily loving care at the Bennion Veterans Home in Payson, Utah. A viewing and brief family service will be held Monday, November 11, 2019 at 11 A.M. in the Gunnison LDS Stake Center. Burial with military honors accorded by the Centerfield American Legion Post #105 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Gunnison City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.