Dean Craig Litster

Dean Craig Litster was born on 16 April 1948 in Bountiful, Utah. He passed away surrounded by his family on 1 February 2026. He was the 10th of 11 children born to John Ethridge and Maecell Mary Bottom Litster. He started life on a farm in Bountiful, with a horse named Silver. He was proud to be an Eagle Scout. He ran on the track team and was in the first graduating class of Viewmont High School in 1966. He then joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Vietnam for 13 months, earning the rank of Corporal. He returned home from Vietnam in 1968. He attended Weber State College.

He married Denise Lou Skelton in 1968. They were blessed with three children, Ellen, Michael, and Peter, They divorced in 1983. Dean married Vivian Joyce Howell in 1983 and they were blessed with one child, Danielle. They divorced in 2004.

Dean was a hard worker, starting at his dad’s grocery store where he picked up bottles in the alley, at Bratten’s Seafood Restaurant as a busboy, as a radio operator and the Colonel’s personal driver in the Marine Corps, for the telephone company in California, as a drugstore delivery guy, as a moving man for Allied Van Lines, and truck driver for Utah/Wyoming, Consolidated Freightways, and Yellow Trucking. 

He was a big, loud, fun-loving man, who was knowledgeable about many things and loved to tell a story while drinking a cold bottle of Coke. All of his good stories started with a deep breath and “OK…”. He was deeply patriotic, had a great respect for the American flag & voting. He loved parades and illegal fireworks, driving fast, picnics in the canyon, roller coasters & amusement parks, gambling in Wendover, going to the zoo, BBQ’s, making his famous fruit salad, wearing short shorts while doing yard work, giving his grandkids pocket knives, and screaming ‘DANNNIIELLLLE’. He also loved complaining about his TV antenna & having to eat salad all the time. He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids. We will miss him greatly.

He is survived by his children: Ellen & Mason Paddock, Michael & Megan Litster, Peter & Aubrie Litster, and Danielle Litster; his grandchildren: Zachary & Mackenzie Paddock, Jacob & Hannah Litster, Austin Nielsen, Devon & Megan Blosser, Megan Paddock, Allison, Isaac, Kael, Aiden, Edyn, Alaina, Elijah, and Ezra Litster, & Morghan Nelson, his great grandkids: Charger Nielsen & Claire Paddock, and his siblings:Byron & Dixie Litster, Carlos & Jan Litster, Carol Pratt, Linda & Gene Carroll, Connie & Doug McRae.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Holy Cross Common Spirit Jordan Valley Hospital, Meals on Wheels, and Rides for Wellness.

A viewing will be held Wednesday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah.

A graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, February 5, 2026 at the Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah.