Donald Young Milne

One of the most steadfast, disciplined and generous men we know passed away peacefully on the same day he arrived, 92 years later. Following a year-long battle with two types of cancer and the resulting complications, Donald (Don) Young Milne left this mortal life on October 10, 2024 in Sandy, Utah. 

He was born in Cedar City, Utah, on October 10, 1932, to Alexander Clinton and Lois Baker Johnson Milne and grew up in a frugal home where he and his brother Clint learned to be expert painters under their father's tutelage, often helping others free of charge while their own family income was meager. 

Don played football his senior year of high school and said he scored a touchdown on the only pass they threw to him, weighing in at 142 pounds in full uniform! He also played cornet in school orchestras where he met his future wife, (Shirley) Renée Halversen-the only girl he ever dated. They married in the St. George Utah Temple on June 8, 1954.  

The two attended Branch Agriculture College in Cedar City (now known as Southern Utah University), then moved to Salt Lake City where Don received his degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Utah. After graduation, they moved to Los Angeles briefly, then headed to England for his Air Force service (2-1/2 years active duty and another 25-1/2 in the reserve, retiring as a Lt. Colonel in June 1983). After he was released from active duty, they moved to South Pasadena then El Monte, California, where they lived for 35 years. During that time, he attended night school and received his M.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Southern California in January 1968, plus a Certificate from the Graduate School of Public Administration.  

Don had a long and meaningful career working at the Los Angeles County Flood Control District in the Design Division, followed by jobs as Deputy LA County Engineer and Deputy Director of Public Works. Don and Renée then retired and moved to Sandy, Utah in January of 1993 to be near their children and grandchildren.  

His devoted service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints included assignments as bishop, high councilor, and councilor in two stake presidencies.  

Never having the opportunity to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a young man, Don and Renée were able to do it together in 1996, soon after retirement. Their 18-month mission in Ireland was a highlight, and they made many wonderful lifelong friends. 

He also loved community service. Don was on several professional committees including the Sandy City Planning Commission, Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy, and the Provo River Water Users Association. He resigned from the water boards only weeks ago at age 91! 

Don read the scriptures daily for 46 years, never missing a day-quite an accomplishment! His devotion to his faith ran deep. So did his fondness for exercise. Early morning basketball later led to jogging, then walking. He still put in three miles a day on the sidewalks of Sandy until May of this year. He worked hard throughout his life, but he did take time to fish, hunt, golf, and complete every 500-1000-piece puzzle he could find. 

He also loved supporting the grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all things-attending their games, concerts and recitals. 

 Don also believed in being dependable, showing integrity, and staying out of debt. He was generous to many friends and family members and often looked for ways to help people in need. 

His main goal in life was to be a better husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and a better servant of his Heavenly Father. He magnified that well and was a literal angel-on-earth to Renée, as he cared for her every need while she fought Alzheimer's disease for over a decade. Ever since her passing last year, he's wanted to be back in her arms-we just didn't know it would come so soon. A colon cancer diagnosis with immunotherapy plus a leiomyosarcoma tumor removal and the resulting difficulties left him unable to fight any longer. 

Don is survived by his two daughters, Michelle (Steven) King and Alicia (John) Tebbs, eight grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and his brother, Clinton. 

His wife Renée, parents, half-brother Ervin Vance Johnson, and grandson Ashton John Tebbs preceded him in death. 

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 26th at 12:00 noon at the Sandy Utah Lone Peak Stake Center, 11570 South Wasatch Boulevard, Sandy, Utah. Prior to the funeral, a viewing will be held at the same building from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Interment is at Lakeview Memorial Cemetery in Bountiful, Utah. 

Don's funeral will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Facebook page and on his obituary page, which can be found at www.russonmortuary.com. The livestream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service.  

Services will also be streamed by the ward on ZOOM.

Deepest thanks to Dr. Conan Kinsey, Dr. John Groundland, and all who attended to our dad at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City and at home. We are most grateful to caregivers Teisa, Sita, Eva, and Meleane, who lovingly watched over him day and night until he took his final breath.