Darlo Lee Esplin
St. George - Darlo Lee Esplin, 88, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2018. He was born on October 21, 1929 in St. George, Utah to Lee and Roma Church Esplin. He married his high school sweetheart, Grace Sullivan, on March 24, 1949 in the St. George Temple.
Darlo was raised in St George, Utah. He attended Woodward Junior High and Dixie High School. He met his future wife, Grace, in the 7th grade. They dated throughout high school and after their marriage, they moved to Logan to attend Utah State University, where he received a Bachelors Degree in Animal Husbandry and Accounting. Their first daughter, Shirlee, was born in Logan.
Darlo and Grace raised their five children in St. George. He supported his family as a rancher on the Arizona Strip with his father, Lee, and his two brothers, Donald and Stanley. His children and grandchildren had the privilege of learning the value of hard work as they spent many summers working along side him on the ranch. Darlo was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the bishopric and as a bishop of the St. George 5th ward. He served on the high council and was a faithful home teacher throughout his life.
Darlo was active in the Rotary Club and served on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Cattle Growers Association and for the St. George Chamber of Commerce. He also served on many Farm Bureau Committees.
Darlo was a natural athlete. He was a fast runner and excelled in sports. His nickname in high school was SPEED! He lettered in track, football and basketball at both Dixie High School and Dixie College. His Dixie High School "Six Man Football Team" won the state championship both his junior and senior years. He stayed active throughout his life, running two marathons after the age of 50.
He is survived by his children, Kelly Esplin (Danna) of Cedar City, Lori Hafen (Hans) of Santa Clara, Craig Esplin (Kelly Ann) of Boise, Idaho and Bradley Esplin (Bizzy) of St. George. Darlo's posterity include 22 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Shirlee (1972), his wife Grace (2015), his parents, Lee and Roma Esplin, and his brother, Donald Esplin.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 11:00 am at the St. James LDS Chapel (1095 East St. James Place, St. George, Utah). Friends may call Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Metcalf Mortuary and Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 at the St. James Chapel. Interment will take place at the St. George Cemetery.
The family would like to express appreciation to Morris and Kim Berry, Dotty Scozzafava, Jackson Jones, Freda Ford Funk, Cam Cox, and Megan Feller for their compassionate and dedicated care of Darlo during the last few years of his life.
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Sponsored by Metcalf Mortuary - St. George.
May you receive the strength and comfort to cope with the loss of your dear loved one. 1 Cor 1:3
May 31, 2018
My sincere love and condolences to the Darlo Esplin family and his passing. Darlo was a fine man and a great example to me while growing up. He was my 5th Ward Bishop. I appreciate his family, wife and children very much. They are dear friends.
Gary R. Nelson
May 26, 2018
We are out of town and unable to attend Darlo's services tomorrow. We extend our heartfelt condolences to your precious family. We were honored to have Grace and Darlo as friends and mentors during our early married life. We treasure the memories we shared with them. May heavens choice blessings attend you at this tender time. With love, Diane and Mans Jennnings
May 25, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
May 25, 2018
We are out of town and unable to attend Darlo's services. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the entire family. Dario and Grace were a significant part of our early married life. They were friends and mentors of the highest caliber and we cherish the memories of our association with them. God bless all of you at this tender time. With love and gratitude, Diane and Mans Jennings
May 25, 2018
Uncle Darlo and Aunt Grace are examples of faith, dedication, hard work, love, testimony, happiness, eternal marriage, incredible parents and loving grandparents. I have looked to them as examples my entire life. They have left a wonderful legacy. We love and miss them. Love, Brenda Esplin Wade
Brenda Wade
May 25, 2018
My deepest condolences to you and the family. I loved when Darlo would come in and visit Hans at his work place. Darlo was always smiling. He will be missed. God Bless...
Toni Terry
May 23, 2018
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Metcalf Mortuary - St. George288 West St. George Blvd., Saint George, UT 84770
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