Donald LaVarr Fagg

Donald LaVarr Fagg was born on September 15, 1929—just one month before the stock market crash that began the Great Depression. He passed away peacefully on the morning of August 14, 2025, just one month shy of his 96th birthday.

Don was the firstborn child of his hardworking parents, Arthur LaVarr and Jettie Ardella Heugly Fagg. They built a home in the heart of East Millcreek on a small farm, where Don learned early that hard work and raising your own food were simply part of daily life.

He married his sweetheart, Gladys LaVelle Wagstaff, on June 12, 1952, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised seven children in their modest Holladay home: David (Marla), Susan (Mike), Heidi (Kay), Scott (Connie), Cindy (Steve), Brad (Sidona), and Matthew (Vanessa). Don made sure his children learned the value of work—whether they liked it or not. Many neighborhood kids also learned “how to do things right” while working on Don’s lawn care crews over the years.

Don and LaVelle cherished their service as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—first on the Micronesian island of Yap and later in Washington State. They also loved serving with the Single Adults in their stake.

One of Don’s greatest joys was serving as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple. He took great pride in learning and flawlessly memorizing all of the parts of those sacred ordinances. He and LaVelle found deep peace and spiritual strength in their temple service.

Don’s greatest happiness came from his family. He took great joy and rejoicing in his posterity, and his sharp mind always remembered the exact number of grandchildren and greatgrandchildren whenever anyone asked.

An evening viewing will be held Wednesday on August 20, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive, Holladay, Utah 8411. Funeral services will be held to celebrate his life on Thursday, August 21, at 11:00 a.m. at he Holladay 10th Ward, 4602 South Chapel Drive with a viewing from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.