Dec. 1, 1943-Aug. 1, 2023
Donald Wesley Dennett, age 79, passed away on Aug. 1, 2023, in St. George. He was born Dec. 1, 1943, the same day as his twin brother, in Springdale, Utah, to Wesley and Virginia Dennett.
He married Arleen Halsey in 1966 and they had four beautiful daughters: Jill Taylor, Kelli Nelson, Heidi Price and Reagan Adair. After their divorce, he met and married Karolee Young in Springdale on Feb. 1, 1986, and they were sealed in the Las Vegas Temple, on Feb. 1, 1995. They had six more beautiful children together: Tiffany Miller, Wesley Dennett, McKell Pilcher, Kayla Bettfreund, Kira Rollins and Lawrence Dennett.
Don was born and raised in Springdale. He graduated from Hurricane High School and then attended College of Southern Utah (SUU), where he obtained his bachelor of science and participated in the Shakespeare plays sponsored by the college. He continued to University of Utah where he obtained his master of business administration. He then moved to Boulder City, Nevada, where he owned many businesses ranging from gas stations and ice-packing companies to several construction companies.
His passions included working, taking care of all those around him, hunting, camping, fishing, boating, skiing, gardening, dancing, storytelling, candy making, being a short-order breakfast cook, chick-flick movies, playing cards, Christmas lights, spoiling his children and grandchildren and spending time with his eternal companion. His dream job was raising elk, which he did for 12 years. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved to share the gospel and took every opportunity to introduce people to the savior.
He was preceded in death by parents Wesley and Virginia; brother Tyrone Dennett; father-in-law Lawrence Young; brother-in-law Nick Stevenson; niece Kylee Gerken and her infant son (Whipp).
Don is survived in life by his wife Karolee Dennett; mother-in-law Alma Young; sisters Jannette Peace, Ginger Bradford (Don), Shelley Cox; sister-in-law Lynette Dennett; twin brother Daniel Dennett (Kim); children Jill Taylor (Rick), Kelli Nelson (Karl), Heide Price (Greg), Reagan Adair (Cam), Tiffany Miller (Ty), Wesley Dennett (Nicole), McKell Pilcher, Kayla Bettfreund (Tallin), Kira Rollins (Wyatt), and Lawrence Dennett (Sydney); grandchildren: 29 (and two on the way) and three great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and other medical staff of the St. George Regional Hospital for their compassionate care. They also thank the ward, community members, friends and family who prayed, fasted, called and visited.
Don’s family would like to continue his love of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ by requesting, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Missionary Fund. Click here to donate.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, Aug. 6, from 6-7 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1584 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Aug. 7, at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1584 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale. A viewing will be held prior to services from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Interment will be held at Springdale Cemetery following the funeral.
Family and friends are invited to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.