Aug. 6, 1944 — April 28, 2016

Donald Arlo McArthur returned home to his Heavenly Father on April 28 at age 71. He was born Aug. 6, 1944, in St. George, Utah, to Arnold and Lola Hafen McArthur. He married Karan D Daybell on Sept. 4, 1965, in the St. George Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Donald lived in St. George his entire life. He attended Dixie High School where he played basketball, football and did the long jump on the track team. He then attended Dixie College. He was always active and a hard worker starting at a young age. From age 12 to 20, he worked in three different service stations. When he was 16, he started drag racing.  He had a ’54 Plymouth, then a ’58 Chevy Impala and then a ’52 Chevy. He won several trophies and held a record for a time. He joined the National Guard in 1963 and served for ten years.  

Around age 21, he began working for Washington County. He worked in the roads department for 24 ½ years. His brother Ralph was his boss for much of that time. Working with his brother was something Donald always cherished.  His brother said, “He worked hard.  A very, very hard worker.” His brother owned a farm, and they would work on projects at the farm together such as discing, bailing hay and tending to animals. He also would clean and disc lots and trim trees all around town on the side.  

Donald met Karan in college. About a year and a half later, they were married, and they had eight children over the next 13 years: seven girls and one boy. He always liked to say, “I have seven daughters, and they each have a brother,” just to see the look on people’s faces. He was always proud of his children and supported his children in all their sporting events and activities. He spent a lot of time with his family camping, hiking, playing sports, working together and helping them with their paper routes. He also had his children help him clean lots and trim trees, teaching them how to work. He was known for being a hard worker, and he made a point to teach his family to be also.  

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Donald served in the Ninth Ward (St. George East Stake) Bishopric as a Second and First Counselor. He had several callings and served as a Scout Master and Special Service Ordinance Worker in the temple. He had an amazing testimony of Jesus Christ and of the Atonement of Christ. He also loved serving and working with the youth. He helped with, organized and ran an aid station for the St. George Marathon for 16 years with the youth of his ward. He was very service oriented and helped out whenever he could.

At age 48, Donald was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Over the next 24 years, it slowly wore him down until he was bed ridden for the past 15 months, and it eventual took his life. During this time, he continued to be a very devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was able to spend more time at home helping to raise grandchildren and attend family activities. He was loved by so many and will be greatly missed!

Donald is survived by his wife, Karan; his children: Beverly (Fred) Gugelman, Lynette (Trent) Leavitt, Mary Ann (Travis) Roberts, Tina (Shawn) Gubler, Sandee (Scott) Leavitt, Donell (James) Mullenaux, Sharri (Curtis) Balls, Bradley (Kirsten) McArthur; 24 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; and four sisters: Loretta (Gerald) Schiefer, Arlene (Dorrel) Booth, Ramona (Gary) Porter and Annette Lounsbury. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Ralph McArthur.

Funeral Services

• Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 5, at 11 a.m. at the Slickrock Chapel, 2434 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah.  
• There will be a viewing Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah, as well as Thursday morning prior to services from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the Chapel.
• Interment will take place in the Santa Clara City Cemetery.

Special thank you to Journey of Hope Hospice and Zions Way who sent two special angels, Debbie and Amanda.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-635-2212.

For condolences, full obituary and funeral listings, please visit Spilsbury Mortuary online.