Don "DT" Thomas Thorkildsen

October 9, 1935 - August 6, 2015

West Jordan, Utah—Don Thomas Thorkildsen—beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend—passed away suddenly on August 6, 2015, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Don was born October 9, 1935, to Thorvald Peter and Agnes Roth Thorkildsen. Don graduated from Granite High School and then joined the U.S. Army. Don had a long career working for steel fabrication companies in Utah and Oregon. He retired from Baert's Metals in Oregon as Operation Manager and Vice-President of Materials Purchasing and Estimating before returning to Utah in 2002. Don loved life! He loved time spent with friends, the outdoors, traveling, RVing, golfing, bowling, playing games, and making people laugh. He was always a gracious winner and a great sport when things didn’t go his way. Don was always there to help anyone who needed it. He never told a story just once, but would say, “This time it is a different version." Don’s greatest joys were his wife and family. Don enjoyed attending all the special events involving the family; they were so important to him. Don is survived by his wife of 38 years, Karlene; three daughters Tamera (Ray) Kolkman, Debra (Darren) Pollick, and Michelle Grant, from his first marriage to Jean Bodenstedt; and Karlene’s sons, Jeff (Darlene) Buckway and Kevin (Shirley) Buckway. He has 11 grandchildren—Brandon (Rikki), Chad, Garrett, Tiffany, Alexis, Travis (Andrea), Matthew, Joshua, Kristy, Stormy (Parker), and Kevin—and 11 great grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Harry, and sisters Dorothy and Betty. Don wanted no services to be held but to be cremated and his ashes spread on the big Island of Hawaii by his wife and daughter. Please go to the mortuary’s website (www.premierfuneral.com) to post condolences and remembrances. Don, you will be missed. Karlene, we want to thank you so much for all of the love and care you provided our father. Daddy, we love you so much!