March 20, 1954-April 10, 2022
Del Westover Despain, 68, of Washington City, Utah, passed away April 10, 2022, in St. George after a long illness.
He was born in Murray, Utah, on March 20, 1954, to the late Joseph William Despain and Nina Westover Despain. He is survived by his wife Wanda Tomkinson Despain; children: Austin Despain (Korie), Kari Despain (Ben), Jayson Despain (Ora), Staci Costa (Kevin); 10 grandchildren; and his siblings William Despain, Evon Gold, Sheryl Lloyd and Marva Williams.
Del graduated from Dixie High School in 1972. After a two-year religious mission to Singapore and Indonesia, he was sealed by marriage to Wanda Tomkinson in the Manti Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 12, 1976. They shared 46 years together, raising four children and making dear friends in Washington, Arizona and Utah.
Del earned degrees from Dixie College, Utah State University and Washington State University before earning a PhD in Watershed Management from the University of Arizona. He worked as an associate research professor for the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Arizona until he passed away. During the last decade of his life, he received many distinguished awards in his field, including the Outstanding Achievement Award for Research and Academia.
From boyhood, Del was blessed with reverence and awe for nature, which led him to spend as much time as he could outside. He studied plant life along the Arizona Strip and on the Kaibab Plateau for many years, giving him the opportunity to hike and enjoy the outdoors during his workdays. Some of his best memories were made while exploring new places and old haunts with his children or his best friend, Dan. Del recently set a goal with his sons to summit the highest point in each of Utah’s twenty-nine counties. He was able to complete 25 of those hikes.
Del loved the gospel of Jesus Christ. He used much of his life to serve those around him on account of his church assignments and his involvement in the Boy Scouts of America. He served in his church as a financial clerk, youth leader, bishop and stake clerk for many years in the Hurricane Utah West Stake. Del is revered by his family, friends, and coworkers for his kindness, integrity, attention to detail, and his work ethic.
The family extends their gratitude and appreciation to the oncology doctors and staff at St. George Regional Hospital for their dedicated and compassionate care of Del in his challenging, final years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to their local Ward Missionary Fund or to the church’s Philanthropies fund.
Funeral services will be available online via Zoom and will be held as follows:
Sunday, April 17
Viewing: 6-8 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
155 E 1050 N, Hurricane
Monday, April 18
Viewing: noon-12:45 p.m.
Funeral service: 1 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1080 W Arlington St., Washington City
Internment at Washington City Cemetery
Family and friends are invited to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.