Donald Bass - husband, cute dad, and adoring grandpa passed away on December 24, 2020 at 78 years old, in Salt Lake City, UT, with his loving wife by his side. He lived a life of service and humility.
Donald was born to Lora Mae Bass and Duncan Bass in Mayo, FL. He was the third of eight children. From a young age, Don learned the value of hard work, along-side his siblings. He graduated from Suwannee High School, where he served as Student Body President and was an active member of The Future Farmers of America. He was also voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by his peers. He later graduated from Florida State University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
Don was baptized to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Shine Hole Creek, off of the Suwannee River, at eight years old. Years later, he eagerly served a 30-month proselytizing mission for the LDS Church in Uruguay and Argentina where he and his companions baptized 172 people. He was the first Latter Day Saint missionary from Live Oak, Florida.
Don served seven years in the National Guard in Florida and Utah. He has always held a great regard for the United States and the freedoms we share in this great country.
Don met his wife in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1967. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1968 by Apostle Spencer W. Kimball.
Don began his professional career as an English and Spanish teacher at Granite High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. After three years of teaching, he moved on to a 33-year career in pharmaceutical sales. He retired in 2004.
Upon retirement he continued his commitment to serve others. He worked at Jordan Valley School as a teacher for special needs children. He also served as a tour guide at Temple Square for many years. Through his years of service Don exhibited his acceptance of others regardless of their circumstance.
Don had many talents and hobbies. He ran 25 marathons, and to his children’s embarrassment, the home basement was decorated with marathon memorabilia, posters, and awards. He found therapy in accurate and precise shooting at the gun range, where he spent every Saturday with his shotgun earning his perfect-25-patch. His adult life was filled with adventure, hunting and hiking throughout the Wasatch Mountains. He was passionate about music, turning up the classic country tunes in his SUV- listening to John, Loretta, Elvis, Neil, Kenny, Willy, Dolly, and more. He loved a good Chevy Chase or Steve Martin movie to share a laugh with the family.
Don was ferociously protective of his wife and children. His family was the reason for him to pursue a genuine, kind, hard-working, honest life. His actions were a testament to his beliefs. He was the epitome of a good man.
Don is lovingly survived by his wife, four children, four sons-in-law, and six grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer’s Association. Visit https://act.alz.org/donate to make your donation in Tribute to Donald Bass.
To view the recorded funeral services, please click on the link below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/zx9c5M3NSXHfTjf0w0izF5do4MJRCqf9ZItisoLuFXgp7_a8qcP85o16SKf_a0Mq.jW0UVMRruQFQX1V-?startTime=1609432815000
My husband and I remember him from the Uruguay-Paraguay mission. He was a great missionary. So sorry for your lost.
I enjoyed serving with Don as a hosting missionary at the Conference Center. He was as great missionary and served diligently. I loved his smile and sense of humor. He often talked about his family and how special you are all to him. I am grateful for the memories of serving with Donald Bass. He has strengthened my life by my interaction with him.
Dear Hilda and Bass Family,
Wishing you, peace and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.
With Love and Heartfelt Sympathy,
Lorraine Brown, Melanie Brown, Danielle & Brandon Beamon
The loss of this great tenderhearted man is a loss to all who came in contact with him. Jordan Valley has not been the same without Don.
Although I will not be at the funeral in person my love will be with each member of his family as we say our earthly goodbyes to this truly Christ-like man. May God bless each of you until we see him again.
So sorry to hear about Dick, we played together, worked together, rode the school bus together, went to Church together. Pretty sure we were baptized the same day in the same place. Was a pleasure to know him, and his family. He was like a brother to me, sorry we lost contact with each other. Him in Utah, and me in Texas. God Bless him & his loved ones.
L.B. (Lavon B) Voyles New BRAUNFELS, Texas
Don was a wonderful man. He was always happy. He loved life and he loved Jesus Christ. He loved his family. He loved to help and serve other people. He loved to be a missionary and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. I am sorry to his family and loved ones that he has passed on. I pray they will be comforted at this loss.
We loved don a lot. He was our home teacher for over 10 years. He always had a lesson or thought to share with our family. Our kids loved him too. He loved to tease my youngest Steven and Steven would tease him right back. Don gave us our first picture of Christ in our home. He encouraged my daughter Kim to run in marathons which she has been doing for the last three years. Our family loved don and we all miss him. He was an amazing man and he had an amazing testimony of Christ and the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Dear Hilda and children and grandchildren of Don,
Your husband, father and grandfather was a great missionary. One evening In 1966, he sat down by me in the cafeteria at Florida State University and taught me Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness. It was all new but sounded so familiar and I loved every word he taught. I couldn't get enough so we planned to meet next evening. We met, only this time he had two other young men with him and they were both named Elder! Because of Don's desire and willingness to teach the gospel to every living person, my life was completely changed and my heart pours out in gratitude for him. You have been blessed to have him in your life and I know you will all be together eternally. Everyone do your part. With love, Barb
I'm so sorry to hear about Don's passing. I remember him as being very kind and having a great sense of humor. But he was also very serious about serious things. It was fun when he would come to our apartment to visit Hilda, and I always loved to hear that cute southern accent. I pray that you will find peace and comfort and know that you'll be together again.
Lora Humes Winder
Gabby and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. We are sending you air hugs and condolences at this difficult time. We love you and our hearts are broken with this sad news.
All Our Love,
Chris and Dawn Sontag
Dear Bass Family:
I first met Don in Uruguay at the beginning of my mission. He was nearing the end of his mission and was a great inspiration to me. He was an Elder that I really looked up to and wanted to be like. I believe that he came out and went fishing at our ranch a time or two 40 years ago with some other missionary companions.
My wife remembers him as a teacher at Granite High School when she was there and our good friend and neighbor was introduced to the Church when she and Don were students at Florida State. Isn't it amazing how our lives are linked together and blessed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Don was a good and kind man. He was full of love for his fellowman and the Lord. We pray for the Lord's blessings upon you that you may be at peace and be comforted while you are apart.
Love,
Robert and Renee Park, Hanna, Utah
Hilda and family, thinking of you now and reflecting on fond memories of Don. He was a kind friend. I wish you peace and comfort in the best of memories you share together.
Dear Hilda and family-
Bless you as you mourn the loss of a great soul. We understand after our Mom's slow dementia decline, that passing can be a mercy... a chance to continue living and reunions with loved ones on the other side. Don certainly got his wings. I'll never forget that he baptized me. I'll never forget his faithful care and encouragement for our family through his church service. It will certainly be a happy moment to reunite with him someday and I believe in that for your family and all families. I hope he knows how loved he is by you and us and countless others he blessed on life's journey.
Sincerely, Tanya Wadley