Don Mitchell Skougard, age 76, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones on September 22, 2021. He was born on October 9, 1944 in Cedar City, Utah, to Darrell Leon and Carmen Edna Mitchell Skougard. He was the second of three children.
Don learned at a young age to be a hard worker and to care for himself. He spent his youth in Cedar City and Milford. He remembered every backroad in the area until the day he passed away and could never get lost. His mother passed away when he was 17, and he went to live with relatives who helped raise him. His aunts, Kay and Erma; and uncles, Verl and Monte; were a big help in building his testimony of Jesus Christ. Don was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had a profound love for the gospel and a deep faith in our savior and atonement. He always enjoyed talking about the scriptures with anyone who would listen and his faith in Christ helped him many times throughout his life.
Don is a veteran of the Vietnam War. Because of his service in the Army, he earned many medals, including a Purple Heart. After his deployment, he had two daughters, Wendy and Machelle. His girls loved him very much.
Later on, his close friend, LeRoy Shaffer Davis, brought him from Cedar City to Hinckley, Utah to lend a hand on a paint project. This move lead Don to meet Rebecca Jacobson, his sweetheart and love of his life. They married on July 21, 1979 in Las Vegas, Nevada and were later sealed in the Manti Temple on July 21, 1981. They made their home in Delta and had 5 children.
Don worked for Brush-Wellman, retiring after 31 years. He also valued his time spent with Becky in their orchard in Oak City. Fall season was his favorite and the change in the leaves brought him much joy. He loved being outdoors. He would never say no to a hunting or fishing trip with his family. They are forever grateful for those memories. Twice a year, he looked forward to having Dutch Oven chicken dinners and a round of dominos with Becky and his brothers and sisters-in-law; Alice, Steve, Muriel, Claudia, and Jake. But, more recently, nothing gave Don more happiness than watching his grandchildren play around him.
Don would have long, enjoyable conversations with family, friends, and sometimes people he didn’t even know. He was always wanting to get to know more about other people. He always had a smile on his face and a laugh no one will forget. We will see you on every dirt road, mountainside, and fishing hole. Rest in peace, Dad. We love you.
He is survived by his wife: Rebecca, Delta; children: Russell (Kyla), Delta; Jennifer, Lucedale, Mississippi; Tyrel (JT), Herriman; Daren (Jessica), Santaquin; Samuel (Whitney), Cedar City; Wendy, Sheridan, Wyoming; brother: Dick, Cedar City; 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter: Machelle; grandson: Cody; and sister: Penny.
Graveside Services with military rites will be held on Saturday, October 2, at 2:30 pm, at the Oak City Cemetery. Friends unable to attend in person are invited to view the recorded video of the service. The link will be posted with his obituary at www.nicklemortuary.com by Saturday evening.