Oliver Don Ostler

1931 - 2022

Oliver Don Ostler

1931 ~ 2022

Early on the morning of December 6, 2022, Oliver Don Ostler passed away peacefully at his home, with Barbara, his eternal companion of almost sixty-nine years, at his side. They shared a marvelous life together and will be united again because of Him whom we celebrate during this Christmas season.

Don was born on February 20, 1931, to Frank Leonard and Ada Jennie Holmes Ostler and was the youngest of five children. Don's father died when he was only nine years old. His sweet mother instilled within him a desire to learn and succeed. Despite his family's humble circumstances, his mother's faith in him and his father's legacy helped Don gain the confidence to achieve.

Early in life Don showed leadership and drive, always wanting to do his best. He was elected senior class president at South High. He loved playing on the high school basketball team, and although he was short, he was feisty, a quality that would manifest itself throughout his life. He was Freshman Class President at the University of Utah, where he earned his bachelor's degree after serving in the British Isles Mission and in military intelligence during the Korean War. It was during his years at the university and on his mission that he made so many lifelong friends.

Don often said that the best decision he made was marrying Barbara Ruth Boyer in the Salt Lake Temple on December 28, 1953. Their marriage is one of great respect and love for each other. Together they have enjoyed skiing, golfing, traveling, and so much more, often with their family and friends. Barbara has shown great compassion and tender care for Don these past months as his health declined.

For the past sixty-five years, Don has been an integral part of building a world-class organization, the O. C. Tanner Company. He was the President and Chief Executive Officer for twenty-four of those years and was the Vice Chair of the board at the time of his passing. Don cared deeply about improving the work culture of Tanner's employees and of the many thousands of employees of the clients Tanner serves. Because he gave so much of himself, he is deeply loved.

He is also loved by those he served in his various Church callings as Bishop, Stake President, and Mission President, among others. He especially treasured the opportunity to serve with Barbara in the Canada Calgary Mission (1997–2000). Don loved missionary work and provided support for many missionaries, including refugees. He led by his example and taught that we should trust in the Lord.

Don had a remarkable ability to keep balance in his life. Despite his demanding career, church callings, and community service, he was able to focus on what was most important to him: his wife and family. He is a devoted father who made time for and had a special relationship with each of his six children and twenty-seven grandchildren. He loved the tradition of the yearly vacation to Balboa Island and frequently gathered his grown children and their spouses in beautiful places around the world. He loved golf, tennis, boogie boarding, biking and skiing and had a competitive desire to win in whatever he did.

Don's full life influenced many others for good. Despite his small stature, he was a giant who lived his life with integrity and a passionate desire to help others. His death leaves a hole for many, but his example of how to live the right kind of life inspires us to be better.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ada; his siblings, Marian, Bill, Virginia, and Carol; daughter-in-law Ann Taylor Ostler; and great-grandson Sammy Glauser. He is survived by his eternal companion, Barbara; children: Jeffrey (Rosemarie), David (Rachelle), Richard (Sheila), Steven, Lynda (Scott Jorgensen), and Shawna (James Brown); twenty-seven grandchildren; and twenty- three great-grandchildren.

Viewings with be held on Sunday evening, December 11th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn, located at 2350 E. 1300 S., and on Monday, December 12th, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Monument Park Stake Center, located at 1320 S. Wasatch Blvd. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 p.m., followed by his interment at Larkin Sunset Lawn. For those unable to attend, services will be streamed via Zoom. Please visit Don's obituary page at www.larkincares.com for information.