Darrel Dee Bateman passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and family Saturday, January 5, 2019.
Darrel Dee Bateman, or "Dee" as his family called him, was born June 12, 1934, to Alton Darrel Bateman and Melba Frank Bateman in Salt Lake City, UT.
Darrel grew up in Sandy, UT near where his pioneer ancestors originally settled. His mother passed away when he was 12-years-old. The family moved to Murray, UT, when his father remarried.
Darrel attended Murray High School where he excelled both academically and in multiple sports including lettering in Baseball, earning All-State status. He also played in the American Legion league and was scouted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Darrel also participated in theatre, student council, Key Club, and yearbook staff. Darrel was a talented singer and appeared in the Variety Review and the school play. His team won the Inquiring Editor quiz show. Later in life, Darrel performed in musicals at Park City's famed Egyptian Theatre. He once sang with Kathy Lee Gifford and won a singing contest in Austria.
Following high school, Darrel served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Helsinki, Finland. After his mission, Darrel attended the University of Utah where he studied physical therapy and was part of the cheerleading squad. It was during that time he met his wife Lora Hemingway on a blind date. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple April 8, 1960. They were married 58 years.
Darrel's diverse talents led him to become one of Utah's preeminent filmmakers. During his career, Darrel produced and directed a wide range of industrial and promotional films for organizations like US Steel, the Utah Travel Council, Central Utah Water Project, the states of Idaho and Wyoming, Primary Children's Hosptial, Utah Dairy Council, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as work on independent theatrical release films. He produced and directed the award-winning Union Pacific Railroad Centennial Celebration film.
Darrel eventually opened his own production company, Bateman Films, where he also produced hundreds of television commercials for a number of clients including Rhodes Bread and Arctic Circle. Some memorable moments from his career included working with actor Lorne Greene, baseball legend Harmon Killebrew and actor and NFL great Merlin Olsen. He also produced the last known filmed performance of actor Buster Keaton.
His career provided opportunities for Darrel and Lora to travel around the world where they gained a special fondness for Europe, Scandinavia and Russia. Darrel often opted to forego air traval for road trips so the whole family could go along and experience this beautiful country. His sense of adventure was infectious. He always had something funny to say to anyone he met.
The family moved to Oregon in 1990. By then Darrel had become an accomplished carpenter. He built four homes for his family. After his retirement from the film business, Darrel built ten additional homes with his son Brooks, who became his business partner.
Darrel is survived by his wife, Lora Hemingway Bateman and his five children: Mary (Anthony) Bateman-Mercado, Janine Hansen, Brooks (Shannon) Bateman, Brady (Briana) Bateman, Erik (Kathleen) Bateman, 26 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Peggy Draney and brothers, Leonard Groo and Kent Bateman, and two step-brothers.
He is preceded in death by his parents Alton Darrel and Melba Bateman and a step-sister. Darrel was 84.
The viewing will be held on Jan. 11, 2019 from 10-11 am at the Murray Stake Center, 160 East 4600 South, Murray UT 84107. Services will be held at the same location at 11 am. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens.
