Donald R Egginton's Obituary
Donald R. Egginton March 16, 1926 - February 28, 2018
Don was born into the family of Dorsor Frank and Ada Abigail Hardy Egginton, the youngest of four sons, Harold, Frank, and Jack. Their home was in Ogden Utah, but Don’s earliest years were spent in Montello Nevada where his father was an engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad.
The Eggintons loved the outdoors, spending their family time hunting, fishing, and camping. Grandma Egginton was surely an outnumbered good sport. There were many tender shared moments for Don and his mother on these ventures when he was too young to join “The Men.” Ada had a uniquely beautiful voice with a full 4 octave range. She brought the gift of music to Don and his siblings. Don performed duets with his brother Frank during their years of undergraduate school.
Don inherited the broad shoulders and big hands of his father and was taught the gift of hard work by example. They both used their physical strength and sensitive natures in service to others, always in quiet, unassuming ways.
Don graduated from Ogden High School in 1944. He attended Weber State College and the University of Utah where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1952 and a Master of Social Work in1955.
Don served in World War II from November 1943 to March 1946. He attended Flexible Gunnery School in Las Vegas Nevada and became a gunner on the B-17. Love of country and military service by the Eggintons has resulted in many successful family Air Force careers.
Don was called to the French Belgium Mission in 1947. Due to visa problems, he spent the first six month serving in the Eastern States Mission. There he became involved with a group of gifted missionaries who created a singing group which became a great asset to the work of sharing testimony in its purest form - through music. Don would have been happy to remain serving where he was, yet a big part of his future still awaited him in France. It was there he met Allen Cornwall, who with Don, later formed a professional men’s quartet called The Solidairs. They later added a fifth member, who enhanced the depth of already tight, close harmony. This group achieved great success performing all over Utah and California on television and radio. They were contracted for a weekly program with CBS.
France was also the meeting place for Don and Jay Welch. Jay later became the conductor of the Jay Welch Choral and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Their association in these two organizations was a great shared blessing for more than 30 years. Singing and creating beautiful harmony was the joy of Don’s life.
It was, however, as a member of The Tabernacle Choir, that Don’s greatest musical gift was discovered. Her name was Shirley Haacke Christensen, a tall, beautiful, and single soprano! There were very few single members of the choir at that time, so a handsome, gallant bass and a certain “available” soprano did not go unnoticed by a chorus of matchmakers. Their courtship began and was nurtured through a six week European Choir Tour in 1955. Joint tenure in the choir continued until their release in 1980, with a total of 56 years combined service. It was their most beloved calling. Considering Don’s life long involvement singing solo or in choral groups - he did not read music. He had an incredible mind and ear, and learned everything he sang by rote.
Don and Shirley were married civilly in the Salt Lake Temple March 30, 1956 and sealed August 23, 1963. As a couple, they continued their shared love of music in their home, as members of The Tabernacle Choir, and with a professional quartet called The Tall Four. They became the parents of four children, who were all born during their years of choir service and lovingly refer to themselves as “Choir Brats.” The arrival of fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren made Don - “Gaga” -“Gaga Great,” endearments that brought inexpressible joy.
Don spent his personal and professional life in service to others. He was a social worker with the Salt Lake City School District and had a private counseling practice following his retirement. He was a counselor to all, whether in a formal setting or wherever people were together. Family, friends, and even strangers were drawn to him, sought him out and revered his wisdom and insight. He influenced many lives for good, shared and carried many peoples burdens, and always maintained faith in his greatest mentor and counselor, Jesus Christ. Don loved the savior. He shared his testimony of Christ by the way he lived his life and treated others. He loved going to the temple where he drew on the powers of heaven for strength and insight. This was a place of great peace, comfort and contentment for him and he went two days every week, including the day before he passed.
Don was a selfless person who loved unconditionally and supported all who were blessed to come into his sphere of influence. The greatest tribute to Don’s pure and benevolent nature is in reflecting on the years of unwavering dedication, devotion, and attention to his sweetheart, Shirley, his beloved “BN - Button Nose.” For decades, he was by her side through sorrow, physical and emotional suffering, pain, confusion and hopelessness. She was the foundation of his life and the one who guided and tempered him into the affectionate, emotional, caring man he was. Theirs, is indeed a celestial bond.
There were no strangers to Don. Friendships were treasured and lifelong, beginning with his childhood group in Ogden. He and Shirley were part of a Study Group which is still meeting, even with diminished members for over 75 years. There were “Choir Friends,” and neighborhood groups from Canyon Rim whom all his children addressed as Aunt and Uncle. If you were his friend - you were family - and you knew it. His gifts of friendship, compassion, trustworthiness, wisdom, and service were offered freely to all. Don kept in regular contact with many through phone calls or by sending cards. He was easy to know and love. His hugs were endless and desired.
Don was a cultivator of growing things and people. He nurtured, fed, supported, pruned, weeded, encouraged, and provided every necessity in the hope that all could be as beautifully developed as they could possibly be. He was the conduit through which many found contentment in the measure of their creation.
All of our most fond memories of Don, Dad, “Gaga" are encompassed in beautiful harmony. We can almost hear singing from the heavenly choir, which is now richer because of a particular bass voice. Sing On! We love you More Than Tongue Can Tell!
Don was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, his parents, three brothers, and a son-in-law. Don is survived by his children, Kim Smith, Brad (Kim) Egginton, Duff (Bacilia) Egginton and Mindy (Lowell) Bennett. Grandchildren - Tony, Parker, Adam, Samantha, Alison, Lily, Joshua, Braquel, Justin, Kaleb, Kimmie-McKall, Zade, Steele, and Kael. Great Grandchildren - Indie, Beckam, Eden, Halle, and Addison.
A Gathering will take place Friday March 9th from 6-8:00 pm at the Bountiful 26th Ward Chapel: 200 North 200 West, Bountiful, Utah. The funeral will follow: Saturday March 10th at 11:00 am, with visitation prior from 9:30 - 10:30 am. Interment at the Bountiful City Cemetery.
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