Don Lemons, a devoted husband, accomplished businessman, outdoorsman, and craftsman, passed away in Washington City, Utah on April 8, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of strength, skill, and deep love for family, lifelong friends, and life’s pursuits.

Don was born in Pasco, Washington on September 9, 1943, to Donald Park Lemons and Vinnie Stevens. He grew up in Spencer, Idaho, and then moved to Salmon, Idaho when he was in the seventh grade. He graduated from Salmon High School in 1961. His college education began at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, where he was given a football scholarship and played quarterback and defense. He completed his university education at Idaho State University where he received his BA in Fine Arts. ISU is where he met his wife, Jan McCurdy.

A man of remarkable presence; he was tall, handsome, and dignified. Don built a successful career in business through determination, integrity, and vision. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he felt most alive in the great outdoors, where his passions took root at a young age. Most importantly, he was, in the eyes of those who knew him well, a truly good man.

As a boy, Don learned to fish in small streams, digging his own worms, and casting lines with patience and curiosity. Over time, those quiet beginnings grew into a lifelong love of fishing that took him to larger rivers, deep seas, and distant shores. He mastered many forms of the sport — from bait fishing to fly fishing — and found joy in each evolution. He would fish the rivers of Alaska, cast lines off Catalina Island, ventured to Cabo San Lucas, and the southern California coast where he captained his own boat and returned with impressive catches, including large tuna. Whether wading a quiet stream or navigating open water, Don found peace and purpose in fishing.

Hunting was another of Don’s great passions, taking him across the United States and around the world. His adventures included pursuing mule deer and pheasants in Idaho, bighorn sheep in Siberia, ibex and Asian elk in Mongolia, and mountain lions in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains. Closer to home, he cherished time spent hunting in Spencer and Gooding, Idaho — places that grounded him and connected him to simpler traditions.

Don’s love of sports was also evident in track and field events. He won the state high school hurdles championship in 1961. He also enjoyed dirt biking, snowboarding in the mountains, and river rafting in his own raft. He finally floated the Colorado River with his cousin, Steve Radford — an exciting trip full of adventure and lifetime memories.

His working career was in the freight transportation field as a management trainee for Garrett Freightlines in Pocatello, Idaho. Consolidated Freightway (CF) recruited him away to start as a dock supervisor in Salt Lake City. Success with CF took Don and Jan from Salt Lake City to San Jose and San Francisco, California. He completed his thirty-year career with CF as a division manager in Southern California.

Post-career, Don and his wife, Jan, moved to Gooding, Idaho to take care of her parents and after their passing, they split their time between St. George and Mapleton, Utah, enjoying the weather opportunities.

In quieter moments, Don’s creativity and craftsmanship shone. A gifted woodworker, he could transform raw materials into objects of beauty and function. From finely turned vases to elegant tabletops crafted from rich walnut slabs, his skill with a lathe and eye for detail reflected both his patience and artistry.

In later years, Don found delight in building and flying remote-control airplanes. From meticulously crafted balsa wood models to modern foam designs, he embraced both the challenge and the joy of flight, always with a sense of humor about the occasional crash.

Don was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where his beliefs guided his life and relationships. Above all, being a devoted husband, he shared sixty-one wonderful years of marriage with his wife, Jan McCurdy. They met while attending Idaho State University and their enduring partnership and marriage in the temple was a testament to love, commitment, and shared experiences.

Don will be remembered for his strength, talents, adventurous spirit, and the quiet moments he cherished in nature. His legacy lives on in the lives of those he touched, the stories he created, and the family and friends who loved him deeply. A special thank you with gratitude for family and friends who have been so helpful these last few months of Don’s life: St. George Intermountain Hospital ER staff, Fire Station #61 – Washington City – and for extra special help from neighbors and lifelong friends; Teresa & Bryant Ford, David & Sonia Smaldone, Lee & LeeAnn Longson, Frank & Toni Kolendich, Northbridge Ward Elders, John and Deby Infanger, Gary McCurdy, and Fred Hodges.

A viewing will be held at Metcalf Bonzo Mortuary located at 288 West St. George Blvd, St. George, Utah, on Tuesday April 14, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. A second viewing will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Hawker Funeral Home located at 132 South Shilling Avenue, Blackfoot, Idaho with a funeral service to follow directly after. Interment will take place at the Grove City Cemetery at 1 Willow Drive Blackfoot, ID 83221, at 2:30 p.m. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Metcalf Bonzo Mortuary in St. George, Utah