Donald Frederick Milligan Sr.

Donald Frederick Milligan Sr., a devoted husband, father, and man of great faith, passed away peacefully in Bountiful, Utah, on January 12, 2026. He was 94 years old.

Early Life and Service Born on August 17, 1931, in Spokane, Washington, to Jim and Helen Milligan, Don grew up alongside his sister, Joanne. He was a man who understood the value of hard work from a young age, spending his school breaks working in the fish canneries of Alaska. After graduation, he served his country in the United States Army as part of the Alaska Communications Corps.

Following his military service, Don attended the University of Washington where he was a member of the ski team. Upon graduation, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Tongan Islands. He carried a deep love for the Tongan people and their culture in his heart for the rest of his life.

A Life of Music and Devotion Above all else, Don’s life was defined by his devotion to his eternal companion, Jessie Lynn Hinckley. Their marriage was a masterclass in love and partnership, providing an unmatched example for their children and grandchildren of what a marriage should be.

As a gifted musician, whether playing the saxophone or lending his amazing singing voice to various choirs and barbershop quartets, he found joy through music.

Faith and Legacy A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Don served in many capacities, including as First Counselor in the Bishopric of the Bountiful 34th Ward. He was a proud Eagle Scout who instilled the values of the program in his family; because of his encouragement and example, all five of his sons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Don tried to be prepared for any emergency and insisted on having a full two-year supply of food and water and that each family member had a fully stocked and updated 72-hour “bug out” kit. As part of that preparedness mindset, he viewed the trees on his property as potential fuel, dedicated a significant portion of the yard to a vegetable garden, planted fruit-bearing trees, and always dreamt of burying a large water tank in the back yard. He purchased a substantial amount of whole wheat early in their marriage and maintained the quality of his wheat for decades by drying lumber in the oven and inserting it into the wheat - a process he repeated annually during LDS General Conference.

Long before the era of DIY television or internet tutorials, Don was the ultimate teacher. He took pride in passing down practical wisdom to all six of his children, ensuring they were equipped with life skills including car maintenance, home repair, and more importantly, he gifted them the confidence and curiosity to try new things, teaching by example that any challenge could be met with a willing spirit and a bit of hard work.

Even in his later years, after a debilitating stroke robbed him of many physical abilities, Don’s spirit remained unbroken. His faith in Jesus Christ never wavered. He spent his final years surrounded by images of the Savior, attending church services faithfully until the very end.

Family Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jessie; his son, David Hinckley Milligan; his parents; and his sister, Joanne.

He is survived by his children: Donald Frederick Milligan Jr., John Hinckley Milligan, Matthew Hinckley Milligan, Thomas Hinckley Milligan, and Sara Searle. He also leaves behind 27 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren who will miss his example dearly.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday January 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held from 1:00-1:45 p.m. at the mortuary prior to services.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to services and will be posted below.