James Dan Stallings

J. Dan Stallings returned to his heavenly home on April 8, 2026, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer at his home in Syracuse, Utah. He was born in Ogden, Utah on June 13, 1942, and grew up in beautiful Eden, Utah. He spent his childhood helping on the family farm with his parents Virginia “Judy” McEntire and James “Jim” Ritter Stallings and his siblings, Mack (Rena), Janet (Duane), and Mary Sue (Keith).

Dan was an avid learner, with a propensity for science and the natural world. He graduated from Weber High School and attended Weber College before serving in the Great Lakes Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He returned to college where he met the love of his life, Susan Bryan, and they were sealed in the Logan Temple on May 25, 1966.

After Dan received his degree in Botany, he and Susan headed to the University of Nevada, Reno, where they welcomed a daughter, Danae. Following his Master’s degree in Agronomy, the family moved to Oregon where Dan worked for Amalgamated Sugar. Two sons, Bryan and Scott, were born there. A few years later, they moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, where three more children, Becky, James, and Megan, were added. Dan was a loving father, reading to his children, encouraging their talents, teaching them to love God, and serve others. He worked for 40 years in the sugarbeet industry, retiring from Betaseed in 2009.

Dan was deeply involved in the Boy Scouts of America and spent many happy years teaching young men the scouting principles of devotion to God and country. He especially enjoyed interviewing Eagle Scout candidates and was honored with the Silver Beaver Award for his tireless service. He loved gardening and was a Master Gardener who knew the Latin and English names of countless trees and shrubs. In his free time, he enjoyed woodcarving, creating many gifts for family members. A natural storyteller, Dan charmed his audience with personal stories and poetry he knew by heart.

Dan was a devoted church member, serving in numerous callings and missions. An inspired teacher, he loved leading gospel discussions and sharing his love for the Savior. He and Susan served as church volunteers with the Twin Falls Temple landscaping crew. They served a mission at the San Diego Mormon Battalion and a Family History mission with “Find a Grave”. Dan was service-oriented, watching over his neighbors, and caring for those in need. After living in Twin Falls, Idaho for 50 years, he and Susan moved to Syracuse, Utah to live closer to family.

Dan leaves behind his beloved wife of 60 years, Susan, his six children: Danae Wood (Mike), Bryan Stallings (Jennifer), Scott Stallings (Monica), Becky Hatch (Eric), James Stallings, and Megan Von Niederhausern (Kurt), as well as Andres Angulo (Natalia) and Juli Pogibin (Fabio), two exchange students who came into the family’s home and never really left their hearts. He is survived by 26 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Mary Sue Rasmussen. He was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Judy, his brother Mack, his sister Janet Jensen, and his great-grandson Gordie Wood.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary. 869 South 2000 West, Syracuse UT. Friends may visit with family on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Thursday prior to service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment will be in the Huntsville Cemetery. In honor of Dan’s life and service, memorial contributions may be sent to the LDS General Missionary Fund.

“If you find it’s me you’re missing, if you’re hoping I’ll return; to your thoughts I’ll soon be listening, and in the road, I’ll stop and turn. Then the wind will set me racing, as my journey nears its end; and the path I’ll be retracing, when I’m homeward bound again.”

Service will be live-streamed and available the day of service by scrolling to the bottom of the obituary, where condolences may also be shared.

Services entrusted to Lindquist's Syracuse Mortuary.