Donald Eugene Hadden

1945 ~ 2021

Obituary Photo for Donald Eugene Hadden < >

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Feb. 17, 2021
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 East Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, UT
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  • Service:

    Feb. 18, 2021
    11:00 AM
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    Donald “Don” Eugene Hadden, talented architect, loving husband, father, and extraordinary grandfather, passed away at the age of 75 on February 11, 2021, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Though slim in appearance and gentle in nature, he quietly fought every day to stay on this earth through ulcerative colitis, two liver transplants, Type 2 diabetes, and kidney failure.

    Don was born May 8, 1945, in Ogden, Utah to Coe and Margaret Hadden. He graduated from Davis High School and attended Weber State College, where he met his future wife, Wan Kei Yin. Before they decided they were meant to be together, Don served in the Southern Far East Mission (Philippines, Hong Kong) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his mission, Don by fate met his future mother-in-law in Hong Kong before being transferred to the Philippines. After returning home he attended Brigham Young University, where he reconnected with Wan Kei and obtained his degree in Sociology in 1969. After graduation, Don enlisted in the US Air Force and was sent to Vietnam, where he taught English on the US Air Force base. Upon finishing his tour, Don returned home to marry his love, Wan Kei, in the Salt Lake Temple on September 11, 1971. After completing his military service in Fort Worth, Texas, and after having his first child (Anthony), they returned to Utah to obtain his Master of Architecture from the University of Utah. Four years later, they were blessed with another son (Jeremy) and a daughter (Renata) four years after. He took great pride in raising his three children.

    After obtaining his Masters Degree, he worked at several architecture firms around the Salt Lake Valley and for the federal government at Hill Air Force Base. He eventually left Hill and opened his own firm specializing in residential architecture with his wife, Wan Kei. He loved simple, clean modern architecture. Many of his designs can be seen along the Wasatch front.

    In August of 1996, he lost his wife, Wan Kei, to cancer. Even though this was a struggle, he continued to fight his own medical battles and raise his children and was eventually blessed with 6 granddaughters. He took great pride in being a grandfather and loved being a part of their lives.

    He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Salt Lake 6th Chinese Ward, where he was a High Priest and served valiantly in various callings.

    Don was preceded in death by his wife Wan Kei and parents Coe and Margaret. He is survived by his children Anthony (Wendy), Jeremy (Vandy), Renata, granddaughters Mia, Stella, Mirae, Esmée, Gracie, and Lena, sisters Joyce (Sherman) and Claudette (Jimmy), nieces and nephews.

    A public viewing will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road, (10600 South) Sandy, UT on Wednesday, February 17, from 6 pm to 8 pm. A private funeral service will be held Thursday, February 18, in Salt Lake City at 11 am. Interment will be in the Farmington City Cemetery.

    Don was able to live a much longer life because of generous organ donors. We as a family would like to encourage you to become an organ donor.

    Those wishing to view the services online may do so via Zoom at the following link or by clicking on the blue "Watch Zoom Service" box to the right of his photo.

    https://zoom.us/j/96652709510?pwd=bG5ST1oxR0NMNVBDYUhmdFJWS1Z1QT09

    Meeting ID: 966 5270 9510
    Passcode: 123123


    Guestbook/Condolences

    Anthony and family,
    Wishing you all peace and comfort.
    —Sydney Chappell


    - Sydney Chappell

    Sorry to hear about Donald, our prayers are always be with you.


    - Richard Kwok

    We have been in the High Priest Group for years and years. Because his examples of love of gospel and his fellowmen that inspired many brothers in our group. We speak highly about him and will remember him for ever.


    - Larry Chen

    Dan was a great example of courage and strength. A man of faith who had enduring to the end. We were saddened for his departure but happy for him to be reunited with his beloved wife, Kay. The impact Dan left us with never fade. We love and appreciate him and his family. Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss.


    - Darryl

    We loved Don, he and his family are part of our family! He enjoyed carrying on the Chinese Tradition they had in their family, like giving red envelopes on Chinese New Year. He took extra ordinary care of his wife’s mother until she passed away . He loved his grandchildren! He was a good friend. We will miss him.


    - Julia Johnson

    So many happy memories have come to mind of my Farmington days together with loyal and loving friends. Donald was one of them and was such a wonderful kind soul! What a sweet reunion he can have with his sweet wife. We were blessed by our awesome group of friends! Our love and prayers are with all of his family and extended family loved ones. I will be there on the virtual link. ❤️❤️


    - Kay Merrill Richards

    Your father was one of the kindest people I have known. I always enjoyed our talks when I would see him outside. He also was an excellent cook. I had some of my best meals with Renata and Don. I always will remember how he never gave up. He always was out there, shoveling snow after a snowstorm. Always ready for conversation. He was always thinking about his kids and proud of his grandchildren. I am so sorry for the loss of your father. He really was exceptional.


    - Lisa Bullock

    Our friendship spanned over 40 years. Was Don and Kay, Anthony, Jeremy and Renata’s branch president in Chinese Branch 1976-77. They are a true and faithful family in the gospel of Jesus Christ - served wherever and whatever thing asked of them. One of my closest friends and associates. Always admired Don’s positive outlook, despite the many challenges he suffered. What a glorious reunion it must have been for Don and Kay after these many years. God bless!


    - Kevin and Cathy Cromar

    I just barely heard about Donald’s passing an hour ago and wish I would have known so I could attend his service. So sorry for your loss...he had the biggest heart of anyone I’ve known and a contagious smile! I know he and Kei are happy being together again!


    - Tammi Johnson

    Dear Mirae and Robin,

    Sending deepest condolences to the Hadden family during this difficult time. We are holding you in our hearts. Please accept our deepest sympathies.

    With Love,
    Mike, Suzanne and Team ORT


    - Suzanne and Mike Nordfelt

    Thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time. May you find comfort in the bigger picture of life. Love you all.


    - M. Evans

    DearAnthony, Jeremy, &Renata, we are so sorry to hear about your Father! I was just thinking about you all on Friday. I was remembering the time your family invited ours to celebrate Chinese New Year at the Chinese ward. We have fond memories of your mom & dad. He was a very wonderful guy and loved to tell us about his beautiful granddaughters when ever we ran onto him. I’m sure that although he and you will miss each other greatly, he is so happy to be with your mom. He was so proud of each of you. Please know that our hearts feel what is is so difficult to put in words! All the best. Dave and Andrea


    - Andrea Van Wagoner

    We are very sorry to hear of Don's passing. He was an amazing example of resilience and was always willing to help any way he could. Our daughters were lucky to have him as their Primary teacher last year and always talked about how nice he was. We will all miss him.


    - Shawn and Amei Owen

    I met Don in junior high and went to Davis High with him also. He was kind, a gentleman, bright, soft spoken, and a friend to everyone. I send my sincere condolences in the loss of your incredible dad. He will be missed but I love that he & your mom are together again.
    May God bless and keep you all. Pat 💕


    - Pat Woolsey Barlow

    Hey guys, i hope the pain of your loss lessens as time goes on. May the force be with you. Love, your old playmate, Heather


    - Heather Nilson

    Donald is a great friend, faithful and very talented and a strong Saturday warrior. He will be greatly missed. The Lord said, "Fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full" (D&C 101:36). Our loved ones may be just as close as the next room, separated only by the doors of death. With that assurance, love life and live it well. Cherish each moment as a blessing from God.


    - willie chan

    Sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was a good friend.


    - Karl Koerner

    Hello Anthony, Jeremy, and Renata, we are sorry for your loss. We knew your dad for a long time (since late 1995). He shared a lot of interesting and humorous stories with us. He always carried on despite his various health issues. I feel like we are better people for having known and learned from him. We will miss him.


    - Tyler, Shiow-Mei, & Jessemy Lake

    Bro. Donald, I am glad to can be with your eternal companion. Thank you for the kindness that you showed to me in the Chinese Branch of Liberty Stake. May the peace of Our Lord be with your family at this time. Sister Debbie (Young) Liu😇


    - Debbie Liu

    I am sorry for the passing of Donald. He was a great father, son and marriage partner. You know that his mother was my mother's best friend all of my mother's life. Don was a true friend in all of the sense of the word. When he had some crowning moments in his life we tried to be in attendance.
    Unfortunately, we now live in Dallas, Oregon. With Covid-19 and the bad weather it was impossible to come. We would have liked to pay our last respects to Don and his family. The only way we knew that Don has passed away was we check out the Deseret News Obituaries everyday.
    To all of family Our Deepest Condolences. The greatest thoughts of our believing in God! WE Will MEET AGAIN!


    - Delbert (Kent) Pedersen

    I will always remember Donald and Hadden family esp.the time with Fong to renata


    - david dicarllo