Ervin Darrel Allington

Ervin Darrel Allington, age 92, passed away on June 11, 2022 after a painful but valiant struggle with bone cancer.

Darrel was born March 29, 1930, to Ervin Rex Allington and Lorene Isabel Roberts Allington in Salt Lake City, Utah. Darrel grew up in the Holladay area surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. From the time he was 15 years old, He worked at Granite Mill unloading the lumber from the trains, driving a truck, and as a carpenter and finisher. He used those skills throughout his life and developed enormous physical strength. He attended Granite High School, and the University of Utah. While at the University, he participated in Lambda Delta Sigma fraternity.

Darrel served in the Great Lakes Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1950-1952. He married the love of his life, Billie Joyce Bunnell in the Salt Lake Temple, March 20, 1953. Darrel served in the US Army for 2 years, then returned to his studies at the University of Utah receiving a BFA in Commercial Art, `MA in Educational Administration, and his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, 1973.

Darrel taught English for 5 years at Evergreen Jr. High, Educational Media for 3 years at the University of Utah, and was an administrator in Granite School District for 27 years over the Media Center and numerous programs. There he also taught classes in learning creativity in the various subject areas for teachers as an adjunct professor for several local universities and colleges. He also travelled extensively teaching workshops for teachers around the country, helping many get advanced degrees. After he retired, he worked for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a writer in the Family History Department for 8 years. Throughout the years, he also freelanced as a consultant and writer for many schools, teaching groups, publishers and educational entities and helped design schools.

Darrel could not see paying someone to do what he could, so he built numerous structures and cabinets, repaired almost anything including our cars, wired, plumbed and learned the skills he needed for the maintenance of his home and family. He wrote dozens of beautiful songs, painted and drew a lot of art, wrote novels and stories, and numerous books on learning creativity and content mastery in art, math, music, language arts, and woodworking. He was, quite simply, a genius in so many areas, but never thought so himself. He was a very humble man, self-deprecating, but so full of pure love for others.

Darrel loved the Lord, his family, and everyone else, whether they were good to him or not. He treated the lowliest worker with the same respect and concern as the superintendent of the school district. He was a lifelong, devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He kept his covenants and strove to always share with others the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ when appropriate. He also emulated the pure love of Christ more than anyone we know.

Darrel was preceded in death by his wife, Billie, his parents, numerous aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and friends. We know he is having a glorious reunion and will soon be a missionary in the Spirit World, which was one of his great desires.

He is survived by his sons. Daniel Ervin {Cynthia) Allington and Luis Aveytua; daughters, Linda Marie Allington and Jacquie Delgado; grandchildren, Elizabeth Allington {Nerryan} Nguyen, Tzeitel Aveytua {Parker) Bautner, Kiara Aveytua, Djosen Aveytua, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Dad, we will miss you greatly, but look forward with the faith you taught us so powerfully to the day we will be reunited with you and Mom again!

The family wishes to thank the following for their wonderful care of our father the last while: Dr. John Dietlein, Katharine Tsosie, Jill Kowallis RN, Suncrest Hospice staff, the University of Utah Palliative Care team, and CNS Hospice at the U Hospital. Thank you one and all!

The viewing and funeral will be held Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 at 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm respectively at Larkin Sunset Lawn on 2350 East and 1300 South. Interment will be at the same location. Thanks to all of the Larkin staff who have been so helpful and generous with their time and efforts. Thanks to the Foothill 1st Ward for the family luncheon afterwards.

For those unable to attend the service, the family invites you to join via Zoom, please click on the watch services link above. A free Zoom account is required and you will need to sign in to join the service.

In lieu of flowers, Dad requested donations be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund, Primary Children's Hospital, or Best Friends Animal Shelter.