Don Merlin Yancey Jr. Obituary (1944 - 2021)

Graveside services for Don Yancey will be broadcast via Facebook Live on Monday, January 11, 2021 beginning at 11:00 AM MDT. To watch these services, please click on the link below. Click HERE to view Funeral Services for Don Yancey Salt Lake City, Utah – Don Merlin Yancey Jr. passed away on January 4, 2021 in City Creek Post Acute Care Facility after complications from COVID. He was born February 14, 1944 on Valentine’s Day to Alma Anna Polak and Don Merlin Yancey Sr. in Portland, Oregon, where they lived for most of his youth, relocating to Tujunga, in Southern California with his family, where he lived the majority of his life. Later in life his family relocated to West Valley, Utah. He loved the beautiful trees of Portland and spoke fondly of returning to show his own family one day. He was on a swim team during his High School years, remaining trim and fit throughout his youth. He went on a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to Palmyra, New York where he performed in the Hill Cumorah Pageant while on his mission. He attended BYU in Provo, Utah and also Dixie College in St. George, Utah. He was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. He married his “darling” Ronnie Susan Bushnell in the Los Angeles Temple for time and all eternity on November 12, 1976. They honeymooned in Catalina Island. Catalina Island became a favorite vacation spot for he and his family. Don and Ronnie brought in this world Bethannie H. Yancey born in 1977 and Christopher A. Yancey born in 1980. They also parented their beloved Kim Stanley who was born in 1965. Kim was sealed for time and all eternity to Don and Ronnie in the Los Angeles Temple July 23, 1994. He had a beautiful singing voice and would sing “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers loud and clear for his whole family to hear as he showered and got ready for each day. He loved fishing, especially deep sea fishing. He loved sharing “Big Fish Tales” with other fisherman. He taught his kids his skills. He was a jack of all trades. He gained skills to fix cars and resell them to help sustain his family. He painted homes. He was a great inventor. He was brilliant at math and physics, often marveling PhD masters with his mind and talking for hours with other geniuses of his time. In 1985, Don and Ronnie began a seven and a half year journey of caring for his invalid mother in their home while raising their children. While providing for his family, he attended DeVry Institute of Technology and graduated as a Mechanical Technician. Don and Ronnie also parented (niece) Chasity and (nephew) Thomas Bushnell, 2 young children, in their home over three years while their own children were teenagers. Don lived actively in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You could find him reading the scriptures daily. He read the scriptures over 65 times in his life and held many church callings throughout his life. His example inspired his children to live to the same standard. He loved and was very proud of his bride, children and wonderful grandchildren. He adored his grandchildren and was always actively a part of their lives growing up. He will be loved always. He is survived by his wife Ronnie, daughter Bethannie, her husband Brian (son-in-law), and their three children (grandchildren) Dallen, Leigha, and Ashton, his son Christopher, his wife Katherine (daughter-in-law), and their three children (grandchildren) Madeline, McKenzie, Fredric, daughter Kim, sister Laurel, brother-in-law Victor Sr., nephew Victor Jr., nephew Bruce, and niece Samantha. He was preceded in death by his father Don, brother Bruce, mother Alma, brother Steve, and brother Dale. We wish to thank Dr. Richard Seegmiller, Podiatrist, and Dr. Dave Seegmiller, Podiatrist and Woundcare Specialist for their outstanding and loving care! A special thanks to Intermountain Medical Center and their excellent staff of Doctors, Nurses, CNAs, Nurse Managers, etc. for their extraordinary and compassionate care. Also a thank you to Rocky Mountain Care of Riverton and City Creek Post Acute Facility! We appreciate all of you! A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S. State Street, Murray, Utah. A graveside service will held on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 11:00 am at West Jordan City Cemetery, 7925 South 1300 West, West Jordan, Utah. Masks and social distancing are required. Services may be viewed online at www.jenkins-soffe.com.