Nov. 7, 1930-June 21, 2024
Our amazing father, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Lloyd Oborn passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 21, 2024. Don was born on Nov. 7, 1930, in Salt Lake City to Lawrence Jackson and Myrtle Barney Oborn. He grew up on Denver Street where he and his friends became known as the Denver Street Vandals. Due to the statute of limitations, not much more can be said about that.
Don graduated from South High School where he was a cheerleader. He went on to graduate from the University of Utah where he also was a cheerleader and has been a “cheerleader” for the Runnin’ Utes ever since.
While serving an LDS mission in Eastern Canada, Don spied a pretty, young sister missionary and knew he had found the love of his life. Following their mission and a whirlwind romance, Don married Margene Smith in the Salt Lake Temple on Oct. 14, 1952, a marriage that led to four children, 18 grandchildren and 52 great-grandchildren.
A devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Don found joy in teaching the gospel. He spent 17 years as a guide on Temple Square, teaching about the restored gospel and bearing testimony of Jesus Christ. Later in life, he and Margene were called to serve in the Australia Adelaide Mission as public relations missionaries, where they promoted the church on a large scale. Five years later, they were called to serve in the Southeast Area Headquarters again as public relations missionaries. After being released from that mission they again had the opportunity to teach, serving a mission on Temple Square. One of his most fulfilling callings in the church was as an ordinance worker in the St. George Temple where he served for years as the trainer of other ordinance workers. As many of those ordinance workers later related, he touched their lives making them want to be in the temple more often. His favorite calling in the church was Gospel Doctrine teacher which he held multiple times in his lifetime.
Don was a performer at heart. He participated in the theater program at the University of Utah and later in community theaters such as Theatre 138 and Pioneer Memorial Theater. He shared the stage with Broadway actors, European opera stars, and Hollywood actors. His favorite roles were in musicals such as “The Music Man,” “Man of La Mancha” and “The Student Prince.” His deep voice made him a natural for narration. He was the voice of the Utah Stars Basketball team and frequently served as MC for many community events. He loved to sing, and sang around the house, on stage, and as the special musical number at church. To say he was a “ham” does not go far enough. He was a performer extraordinaire.
Don was a patriotic American who deeply loved his country, partly influenced by his older brother’s sacrifice in World War II. Two weeks after marrying Margene, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He graduated No. 1 in his leadership class and received The American Spirit Honor Medal. He was promoted to corporal and served as the battalion finance clerk at Fort George Mead in Maryland. Later in life, Don was actively involved in the American Legion, serving as 1st Vice Commander and Commander in the local post, as well as 1st Vice Commander in the district. He found great satisfaction in honoring deceased veterans by conducting military services at their funerals.
He spent most of his career in the insurance business where he won many trips. He and Margene traveled around the world and visited places like Bermuda, Scotland, England, Rome, Israel, Cancun and Singapore.
Golf was Don’s passion, and he could be found on the golf course almost every day. He shared this passion with Margene, their children, grandchildren and even their great-grandchildren. Don played golf up till the time he passed away, and in fact missed his tee time on the day he passed.
Don’s greatest success was his family. He cherished his role as father, grandfather and great-grandfather and strived to instill confidence, accountability and love of the Lord in each of his descendants. His example has led his family to walk on the path of righteousness.
He is survived by his loving bride Margene; his four children Dwan (Gary) Bradley, Mark (Shelley) Oborn, Kim (Doug) Hunt and Kirk (Sharlene) Oborn; 18 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren and his brother Clark (Carolyn) Oborn. He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Myrtle Oborn and his brothers Jay and LJ Oborn.
The concluding paragraph in Don’s autobiography leaves the following message for his posterity:
“The most important message I would like to leave for my posterity is this: The Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is absolutely and undeniably TRUE. This I know by the power of the Holy Ghost. This I declare in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen”
Funeral services will be held at the Bloomington Stake Center, 200 W Brigham Road, St. George, Utah on June 29, at 11 a.m. There will be a viewing before the funeral from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Interment at Tonaquint Cemetery.
Family and friends are invited to click here to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.