Don Wiest

1933 - 2024

Don Wiest

1933 - 2024

- DON SANFORD WIEST

On April 24, 2024, our amazing father, Don Sanford Wiest, 90, left this life to join his dear Margene. He was a kind and caring man. He was born 26 May 1933 in Salt Lake City to Carl Douglas and Pauline Williamson Wiest. He attended Liberty Elementary, Lincoln Jr., and South High Schools. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1955 with a BS Degree and a 2nd Lt. Commission from the US Army ROTC. He later earned a master's degree from the U of U. From early on he was an ardent Ute fan. Don married his high school sweetheart, Margene Terry in the Salt Lake Temple Sept 17, 1953. After two years active duty at Clark Air Force Base, in the Philippines and 26 years of active reserve duty, he retired as a Lt. Colonel, Military Intelligence branch, U.S. Army.

Most of Don's 45 years of civilian employment were in Sales & Marketing, primarily with Burroughs, Billings, Beehive International (as Director of International Sales and Marketing), and Bonneville International, from which he retired in 2001. He was active in international trade organizations, serving as VP of the Utah District Export Council, and president of the Utah World Trade Association, from whom he received the "Export Person of the Year Award" in 1985.

Active in the LDS Church, he served in three bishoprics (one as Bishop), on two High Councils, Stake Executive Secretary, High Priest Group Leader, Stake Young Men's President, Stake Mission Presidency and 10 years as a worker in the Jordan River Temple

Active in Scouting for over sixty years, Don's greatest youth memory was his 173-mile Colorado River rafting trip in 1948 as an Explorer Scout. He served as a Boy Scout unit advisor in the Philippines. Don also served on the Great Salt Lake Council where he served in various unit & District leadership assignments, including Granite Trail District Chairman. He was Woodbadge & ELI trained, attended Philmont priesthood training program, and was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1987.

Don was a multi-sport enthusiast throughout his life as a participant and fan. He played many sports, but tennis was his favorite. He either worked out in the gym, played basketball or tennis nearly every weekday morning much of his adult life. He was a frequent tennis participant at the Huntsman Sr. Games in St. George and ran two marathons, one with his son, Jeff. He was a student of history and geography and was fortunate to travel the world which he did frequently, to many "faraway places" that he learned about from school studies and his employment. He visited 49 states & 35 foreign countries, several with his wife, Margene, and sometimes with his children or grandchildren. Don also loved the arts, especially musicals and concerts. He loved gardening and planting zinnias. He was a Renaissance Man!

Several of his Birthday parties were held at Southwood Park in Murray next to the tennis courts, where he could play tennis with his grandchildren while others ate. He also loved to hike, fish, and golf. He maintained life-long associations with many of his boyhood friends. Four of them made a pact at age 17; that in 50 years they would meet on New Year's Eve at the turn of the century at the Brigham Young Monument by Temple Square in SLC. They fulfilled their pact! Don & Marge were the parents of four children whom they dearly loved, and with whom they enjoyed an active life in church, school, outdoor & home activities. There were many memorable vacations and outings.

Don would often remark about his good fortune to have had long & positive associations with siblings, in-laws, aunts, uncles, and many cousins, whom he considered to be his closest friends. He had the good fortune to have grownup in a neighborhood (near Liberty Park) during the 1940's, where Church & scouting associations and good schools resulted in extra-positive experiences and memories.

Don is survived by his wife of 6 years, Letticia Reyes, and his children, D. Jeffrey (Ann), Collette (Steve) Johnson, Wendy (Kerry) Barlow, and Nathan (Tami), 15 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Margene Terry Wiest, sister Joy and her husband Doug Heiner.

We would like to thank Don's wife, Leticia (Lettie), for her loving, attentive care of our father during the last six years of his life. Also, our family is very grateful to the staff of Abbington Sr. Living for their loving care to our father.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Hyland Lake Ward, 981 East Revere Circle (5555 South), Salt Lake City, UT. Prior to the service there will be a viewing in the ward building at 10 a.m.