1934 ~ 2003
MT. PLEASANT, UTAH <! > - Merrill Dan Randall, 68, passed away suddenly May 31, 2003, at Utah valley Regional Hospital in Provo of complications following a mild heart attack.
Dan was born to Henry and Mary Ida Randall on Dec. 2, 1934, in Enterprise, Utah. He graduated from Enterprise High School in 1953, where he served as senior class president and excelled in athletics. He attended Southern Utah University and graduated from the University of Utah in 1959, with a B.A. degree in accounting.
He married Cleo Evleyn Defond on March 23, 1957, they later divorced. Dan married Esther Peel Blackham, January 30, 1976, in San Jose, CA. with whom he shared 27 years of mutual love, care and devotion.
Dan worked for Del Monte, Varian and the Finnegan Corporation in the Bay area. Dan later moved to Utah in 1976 where he was employed by Telemation and Eagle Publishing. Later he bought YLI Corporation and developed into a family-run internationally respected thread and silk ribbon distribution business, which enabled Dan and Esther and other employees the opportunity to travel the world and develop numerous contacts. He retired in Mt. Pleasant in 1999 where he continued in various business endeavors.
Dan loved his Heavenly Father and was revered and appreciated by all who knew him. He was indeed a man without guile. He was a High Priest in the Mt. Pleasant 3rd Ward where he served faithfully in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a temple worker in the Mount Timpanogos and Manti Temples, branch president at the Missionary Training Center, high councilor, ward clerk, executive secretary and other callings.
He enjoyed his family, sports, traveling, gardening and seeing his keen business savvy flourish in his many enterprises. He led the development of the Christian Peel Family Homestead into 39 acres of bliss where he delighted in providing royal hospitality for all family members and friends. He took unassuming pride in the many amenities his home and friendly outdoor confines offered. Dan would smile when talking about his trout pond and it hundreds of multi-pound occupants. He made it a point to teach his grandchildren the joy and importance of hard work.
Dan is survived by his wife, Esther; six children, Dana (Willis) Whitlock, Apple Valley, CA; Scott (Kimberly) Randall, St. Mary's, GA: Michael (Jill) Randall, Marysville, WA; Nancy Butler, St. George; Scott (Kathryn) Blackham, Orem; and Esther (Donald) Russell, Taylorsville; 24 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles Randall, St. George; Donald Randall, Washington; Harry Randall, St. George; sisters, Ida Bietz of Milford; Louise Allen, Delta.
Preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marie Phelps and Carol Stewart; brother, Willard Randall and Lewis Randall
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 5, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. in the Mt. Pleasant 3rd LDS Ward Chapel, 295 S. State. Friends may call at the Magleby-Rasmussen Mortuary on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial will be in the Moroni City Cemetery. Funeral directors, Magleby-Rasmussen Mortuary, Mt. Pleasant, UT.