In Memory

Don Dowdle VIEW PROFILE

Don Robert Dowdle, our sweet husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend, passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 19, 2015. He was born in Provo, Utah on March 7, 1944 to Max Robert and Harriet Leona West Dowdle. He was the second of three sons, younger brother to Art and older brother to Glen. Don married Lynnette Haycock in the LDS Salt Lake Temple on June 25, 1970. Together, they are the parents of three daughters and two sons.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, D. Arthur and Maurine M. Haycock, sister-in-law Melinda Dowdle and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dee and Marilyn Morrison and nephew Carl Andrew Buchanan. He is survived by his wife Lynnette, sons Robert and Brett, daughters Stephanie (John) Maenhardt, Jeni (Jason) Clark, and Lynley (Daniel) Johnson, grandchildren Maurine, Lincoln and Luke Clark, Maxwell and Ford Johnson, brothers Art (Charlotte) and Glen (Terry), sisters-in-law Judi (Carl) Buchanan and Cheryl (Bryce) McEuen, and numerous nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Orem High School, Don served an LDS mission in Hong Kong, part of the Southern Far East Mission. Upon his return from Hong Kong and before school started at BYU, Don helped to refinish the benches in the Old Provo Tabernacle. He then studied education at BYU, graduating magna cum laude with a BS in Elementary Education, where he was valedictorian of his graduating class in education. Following graduation, Don returned to BYU again to do further studies in curriculum and administration, earning two master's degrees. It was during his graduate studies that he met the love of his life, Lynnette Haycock. 

Don's career in education spanned over 4 decades, all in the Provo School District. He taught at Franklin and Rock Canyon Elementary Schools for close to 20 years and then moved to Joaquin and Farrer Elementary Schools where he finished his career as a school principal. 

One of the greatest talents Don possessed was the ability to make friends no matter where he was. Whether it was at school, the grocery store, or taking a walk around the neighborhood with his grandbabies, Don was quick to start a conversation and as a result made many life-long friends. Don's life was one dedicated to service. He had the opportunity to serve in many church callings in the Orem East, Cascade, BYU 4th and 7th Stakes. At the time of his death he was serving as a Primary teacher, and together with Lynnette was serving in the Institute of the UVU YSA 1st and 2nd Stakes. He had a love for teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to both young and old. If there was an opportunity to serve and make a difference, you could find Don there. He was known to enjoy waking up in the early morning hours to clean the snow off the sidewalks up and down the street where he lived. 

The greatest joys and accomplishments of Don's life, however, had nothing to do with work and school, but everything to do with his family. He was married to his sweetheart, Lynnette, for over 45 years and was so proud of his sons, daughters and grandchildren. They were the light of his life, and he was the light of theirs. 

A viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday December 22nd at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home at 646 E. 800 N. Orem, UT. A viewing will also be held prior to the funeral at the LDS Chapel on 400 E. 400 N. Orem, from 9:45-10:45 a.m., with the funeral held at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you either make a donation to the General Missionary Fund of the LDS Church, or spend time reading to a child. - See more at: http://www.walkersanderson.com/obituaries/Don-Robert-Dowdle/Orem-UT/1572668#sthash.otze7eoj.dpuf





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