Don DaVere Garside

Don DaVere Garside, 91, a man who truly loved his country ‒ a patriot ‒ took his last “jump” on Patriot’s Day, September 11, 2025, leaving this mortal realm and his 91-year-old, battle-worn body. He was able to spend his final hours giving encouragement, advice, and sharing stories and life experiences with his children and his grandchildren.

Don was born on May 4, 1934, in Riverton, Utah, to Arlyn Myers Garside and Ruth Alice Lloyd. The family later moved to Ogden, where Don attended Ogden City Schools, graduating from Ogden High School, where he played football, ran track, and was on the boxing team. He also attended Weber State, where he was a rally-man. He remained true to his schools, searching out classmates for each of their class reunions, and following Weber State sports.

Don was married to Wanda Lacey, and they were blessed with two children, Joni and Steve. Most of Don’s career was as a contracting officer for the U.S. Air Force, which enabled him to travel to Asia, Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, with his favorite being Germany, where he was able to live for 5 years. He embraced the people, the culture, and the language. (Yet his preferred ski report remains Snowbasin.)

His most rewarding “career” was being a member of the 19th Special Forces Unit of the Utah National Guard, where he earned the Green Beret, and earned his “wings” as a paratrooper. He attributed his successes and accomplishments to the training and discipline received during those rigorous experiences. He cheated death several times, thus it was befitting ‒and a blessing ‒ that his wishes aligned with God’s timing for the deployment of his last ‘chute’, allowing him to “slip away” from this life to the next.

Don is survived by his children, Joni (Rick) Wall and Steven L (Cristine) Garside; 8 grandchildren; 6 bonus grandchildren; 29.5 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; his younger sister, Ruth Ann Metcalf of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and his best friend of over 30 years, Shirley Wahl. Shirley and her family have been an additional valued blessing in Don’s life. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his older brother, Lamoyne Garside.

We express our gratitude to the staff members at Stonehenge and Ogden Regional, with special mentions to Doctor Posada and Don’s nurses, Tahya and Scott. God bless! God speed!

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.