Donald L Denison was born in Emery, Utah, on September 1, 1934, to LeMar Denison and Bertha Anderson. He passed away surrounded by his loving family on January 29, 2024. He spent most of his childhood in the town of Emery riding horses with his brother and favorite cousins. He attended East Carbon Junior High School where he was the student body president and played baseball and basketball. He graduated from Carbon High School and was a pitcher on the baseball team. In 1974, he graduated from the Colorado School of Banking at the University of Colorado.
Donald had a successful career. He worked for several banks in Carbon and Emery Counties. He helped in establishing First Security Bank in Price and held the positions of assistant vice president and assistant manager. He was a real estate broker and appraiser for his own real estate company. After real estate, he became an investment broker. One of his most important achievements was establishing the Sagewood Subdivision, which included securing the land and providing financing for the development and purchase of homes by the homeowners in the area. He was an active member on many boards in the community such as the school board, library, and was the president of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce.
Donald was always active in his faith. He was called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern California Mission from 1954 through 1956. He returned home in November of 1956, and married his high school sweetheart Noleena Mecham on December 14, 1956, in the Salt Lake Temple. He served as a bishop for nearly seven years in the Price 2nd Ward. In his retirement, he and his wife served in the Manti Temple as ordinance workers for approximately 15 years, where he was a sealer for 10 years.
Donald enjoyed flying and had his pilot’s license through his 30s and 40s. He loved the outdoors, especially camping in his trailer, fishing, hunting, and riding his side-by-side. He had a great love for his horses and two dogs Checkers and Fritz. One of his biggest passions was keeping his yard looking immaculate. His favorite pastimes included napping, watching ball games (especially the Utah Jazz), and teasing.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Larry (Estella), his sister Sandra, his son Stephen, and his daughter Debbie. He is survived by his wife Noleena, his daughters Diane (Bill) and Merilynn (Brady), his brothers Jerry (Lee) and Bob (Lorrie), his sisters LuAnn and Carol (Ed), 11 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Mitchell Funeral Home in Price on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to the service. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024, 11:00 a.m., Price Stake Center (100 South 500 East, Price, Utah). Burial will follow in the Price City Cemetery (595 East 400 North, Price, Utah).
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Donald online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.