Donald Deru

Donald Joseph Deru

LAYTON – Donald Joseph Deru, 86, died March 3, 2020 after a valiant 22 year battle with cancer.  He was born in Ogden, Utah to Albert Joseph Deru and Veda Schumers.  On October 10, 1953 he married Elaine Maw.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Don graduated from Ogden High School in 1951 and attended Harbor Jr. College, Weber State College and the University of Utah.  He served in the US Army from 1955 – 1957.

One will never find a person with a greater outward mindset.  Never once did he exhibit any notion of thinking about himself, only helping and lifting others.  Though he received countless awards and accolades throughout his life, there is not a display of plaques in his office or in his home.  In fact years ago, many of these walnut and gold plate engraved awards were donated to a charity so they could repurpose them for a recognition dinner and employee achievements throughout the year.  He has a tremendous sense of humor and with a sparkle in his eyes, always shared a different funny story or joke every time you would meet him.  Even in his final wheel chair bound days in a care center, he took the time to wave and say hello to the other residents when they shared their meals in the dining room and would joke with his favorite CNA’s.

Don was never too busy for anyone.  Many people sought him out for his advice in their business, personal finances and for spiritual guidance.  Many consider him the inspiration for their personal and business success. It is not uncommon to hear the phrases “mentor,” “honorable” and “great leader and teacher” when others describe their relationship with him.  Often he would pick up the phone or stop by someone’s office to share something that he had been thinking about for days, which would help them solve a problem or move their business to a new level.

Don is also an outstanding community and civic leader.  He served as President of the Layton, Utah Jaycees, raising the funds and providing the labor to build ball diamonds, picnic tables and park benches, Fourth of July festivities, manage little league programs and more in his community.  He then went on to serve as President of the Utah Jaycees and to become the Jaycee National Chaplin.  He served a long tenure as a trustee on the board of Davis Hospital and Medical Center, vice president of the Utah Association for the Advancement of Retarded Citizens and actively served the Children’s Justice Society, Safe Harbor Women’s Shelter and District Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America, among others.  He chaired numerous chamber of commerce boards and committees, managed the campaigns for several in their successful bids for seats on the city council, county commission and for state senator and representative positions.  He was one of the first in his community to be designated as a “Hometown Hero” and was honored on a float in the Independence Day parade.  There are other civic accomplishments too numerous to mention.

Don held many leadership positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He served as Bishop in the Layton 9th and 3rd Wards, a member of a Stake Presidency in the Layton, Utah East Stake and served on numerous councils and in other positions.  He was especially known for his moving and inspirational talks, one-on-one counseling sessions, common sense trainings, and the ability to instruct others to budget and set a correct course in their personal finances.  Don is a true servant-leader.  You would always see him serving side by side with the members of his congregation whenever he gave an assignment to serve.   He had a place in his heart for the widows and divorcees in his congregations and was very attentive to their needs.  Many people would anonymously receive bags of groceries, a box with a turkey and all of the trimmings for their Thanksgiving dinner or cash to help them through a rough spot.  Having grown up in the family restaurant business, he was famous for his church and community dinners, with specials including Bishop’s steaks, spaghetti with homemade sauce, prime rib and Dutch oven potatoes and desserts.  He also had a tradition of preparing and serving breakfast to his congregation each July 4th morning.

Don is compassionate champion for the less fortunate and downtrodden.  He would buy, prepare and serve meals to the homeless at St. Anne’s (now the Lantern House), his favorite shelter - a tradition that has continued on for 37 years.  Every winter he would appear in front of a homeless shelter with a trunk full of new long sleeve shirts, hats, gloves and wool socks and pass them out to anyone who was in need.  Many people in his community have very personal and touching stories of how they were moved by the charitable act of serving by his side.  He loved giving away a C-note.  When anyone asked for a donation, out came a $100 bill.  Don would always give anonymously, as the great joy he received was by the mere fact that he helped and lifted others.  His personal mantra is, “The only thing money is good for is the good you do with it.”

With all of this service to others, one would begin to wonder when he found time to work.  Don is considered by many a very successful businessman and to him, success was not always measured monetarily.  At the age of 34 he left a promising career test-firing the new Minuteman Missile rocket motors for the Hercules Powder Company, for a transitional stint as a logistics specialist for Hill Air Force Base.  At the age of 36, he began a 30 year career in the insurance business.  His success came because everyone knew him, liked him, trusted him and naturally wanted to do business with him.  Almost daily, some thirty years after his retirement, others continued to ask about him or share an experience they had with him.  Don is well respected by his peers and insurance companies and sat on the advisory boards of many local insurers. On more than one occasion, he pointed out to an insurance company where they were not treating customers or others fairly and they would make a change, no questions asked, no further discussion.

In the insurance business, he is founder of Don J Deru and Associates, Fringe Benefit Analysts and co-founder of Care of Utah, plus of an organization called the ProGroup - a group of industry peers and competitors meeting together monthly to discuss ways to help their customers and improve the insurance industry.  The insurance agency he founded is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and to honor his memory will perform fifty acts of service totaling over $50,000 in time and monetary donations.  Don’s crowning business achievement was being honored by his peers in receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Utah Association of Health Underwriters.

Most importantly, Don is the father of five successful sons and a devoted husband to his wife of nearly 67 years. For years, he spent time assisting Elaine through her serious health challenges only to have the roles reversed to caring for him during his two-decade battle with cancer. Don’s parental goal in life was to instill the values of honesty, integrity and hard work in his children.  He is especially proud of his family, their accomplishments and in keeping true to the faith.  He is the grandfather of 21 and great-grandfather of 53 (and counting), and he loves all of them dearly.  One of the last smiles he had was returning the smile of his four month old great-granddaughter who gave him an ear to ear Cheshire cat grin.  Don will always be remembered for being honest, kind, gracious and extremely generous with his time, talents and treasure (money).

Don is our hero!  He is our mentor!  He is our father!  He is our friend!  Dad, you left very big shoes to fill... We hope in some small measure to be up to the task.  You may not have left this life the richest man in the world, but you enriched and blessed the lives of everyone you encountered.  You ARE the richest man of all!  Until we meet again on the other side of the veil, continue serving others in God’s service, serving others in the same caring and compassionate way you have done your entire mortal existence.

Thanks, Dad for your love, leadership, great example and lasting legacy.

Special thanks to: Dr.’s Glen Biddulph and Grant Holland, aides Katie and Shelby, nurse Andrea and the CNA’s and staff at Fairfield Village, for their skilled and compassionate care.  Thanks to neighbors Sirena and Joann for their constant help and concern.

Don is survived by his wife Elaine and five sons: Terry (Seletha), Curt (Denise), Bret (Jodi), Scott (Teresa), Jeff (Pat), 21 grandchildren and 53 great grandchildren, all of whom he loved very much, as well as Sisters-in-law Lois Deru and DeLora Fowers.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert L. Deru.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 9, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Layton Dawson Hollow Ward, 2435 E. Canyon Rim Road (1500 N.), Layton, UT.  Friends may visit family Sunday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road, Layton, UT.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Don in his caring and compassionate manner, please make a donation to your local homeless shelter, food bank, or your local chapters of the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.