Don Yates

Don Gibbons Yates, 94, passed away on August 2, 2023, at his home in Mona, Utah after living a full and wonderful life. He was born on March 31, 1929, in Mona, to John Bryan Yates and Mary Hortense Gibbons.

Don grew up in Mona on the family farm, and at age 15, with the loss of his father to cancer and with both brothers away at war, he took over running the family farm to support him and his mother. He continued farming throughout his life (and to support his family and love for farming), he also worked as a miner, he worked at Geneva Steel, he worked as a railroad conductor and engineer at the Tooele Army Depot, and he was a bus driver and transportation director for Juab School District.

He married the love of his life, Elizabeth Elena Stanley, in the Salt Lake City Temple September 14, 1948. They cherished and served each other for 63 years (until her passing in 2011). Don and Beth raised their family in Mona, where family was everything to them. They prioritized their family, cherished their belief of eternal family, and emphasized spending time together and supporting each other, through good times and bad. Their posterity includes 8 children, Donnette (Clinton) Moon, Brenda (Mike) Strain, Kerry (Debbie) Yates, Donavon (Elaine) Yates, Melanie (Dan) Davies, Gerard (Rhonda) Yates, Angela (John) Morgan, and RaDawna (Carl) Day. They also felt so blessed with 44 grandchildren, 118 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, wife, and daughter (Brenda).  

Don was a kindhearted, gentle, and caring soul who had a strong work ethic and an even stronger testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those close to him know that he lived a very Christ-like life. He loved God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. He always made time to help and serve others and teach his children and grandchildren those things he valued most. His posterity was blessed to know that they could always rely on his example, advice, and unconditional love. He loved studying the scriptures and never hesitated to share his testimony with others. He spent his life in service to the Lord in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints. Being a very active member, he felt blessed to have the opportunity to love and serve in many callings, some that he remembered with fondness include: teaching callings, elders quorum president, third quorum of elder’s president, high priest group leader, stake high council, and as a minister.

The family will receive guests at a viewing on Monday evening, August 7th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home (94 West 300 North, Nephi, Utah), and on Tuesday morning, August 8th, 2023, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel (65 West 800 South, Mona, Utah). Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the same building. Interment will take place immediately following at the Mona City Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed on the Anderson Funeral Home Facebook Page at the following link: 
https://www.facebook.com/people/Anderson-Funeral-Home/100068057016733/
(The livestream video will appear when the service starts.)