Don J Gines: A Life Steeped in Love, Duty, and Dedication
In the heart of Woodland, Summit County, Utah, a story began on December 8, 1925, which would encompass decades of love, dedication, and an unyielding commitment to family and community. This is the story of Don J Gines, a man whose journey began as the second of twelve siblings welcomed by Rex and Thelma Gines.
Raised on a dairy farm, young Don became acquainted with the virtues of hard work and dedication early on. His leadership qualities were evident, earning him the role of the student body president during his time at South Summit High School. But it wasn’t just in the classroom where Don excelled; he displayed a spirited athleticism, standing out in football and earning regional honors in track.
At the heart of Don’s life story lies a love story, poetic and enduring. It began in the corridors of South Summit High School and bloomed in the most testing of times. In 1945, while the world was engulfed in the turmoil of World War II, Don and his high school sweetheart, LaRee Thayne, vowed to stand by each other, sealing their love in marriage during a one-week military leave. This commitment led Don to fiercely serve his nation in terrains far and wide, including Italy, Austria, and North Africa.
Returning home, the couple consecrated their bond in the sacred precincts of the Logan LDS Temple, later establishing their haven of love in Bountiful, Utah, where Don turned their dream into a reality, building their home with his hands. Their abode echoed with the laughter and joy of a growing family, embracing four daughters, 14 grandchildren, and extending to embrace 25 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Don was a man of many talents and infinite curiosity, his interests as diverse as they were deep. He sought knowledge at electronics school and Utah State University, later channeling his skills into a fulfilling career at Hill Air Force Base, serving dutifully for three decades. But the learning didn’t stop there. Don instilled the value of education in his grandchildren, encouraging them to chase their academic dreams, assisting them in every way possible to achieve their goals.
The canvas of Don’s life is rich with vibrant hues of passion and interests. He was an admirer of fine cars and a devout Utah Jazz fan, a man who sought stories in the pages of books and found music in the chords of a piano, teaching his daughters to translate emotion into melody. But his true happiness lay in the family he cherished above all, in the travels embarked upon with LaRee, in the snowy slopes conquered together, and in the church services attended hand in hand.
Don J Gines has left behind a legacy rich with lessons of love, duty, and dedication. As we bid farewell to this stalwart of the Greatest Generation, we remember him with hearts full of gratitude, for the paths he paved, for the values he upheld, and for the love he bestowed upon all who had the privilege to know him.
As we gather to honor his memory, we do so with a sense of pride in having witnessed a life lived with fullness and an unwavering commitment to family and community. He lives on in the spirited games of his great-grandchildren, in the melodies that echo in his home, and in the love stories that are just beginning, nurtured by the example of undying love that was Don and LaRee’s journey together.
