Dan W. Mendenhall, 75, passed away at his home in Payson, surrounded by family, after a battle with cancer.

Dan was born May 14, 1949, in Payson Utah, to parents Rex Alphonzo Mendenhall and Harriett TerLouw Mendenhall. He was the second of six children in his family. In his youth, Dan loved exploring around Payson and getting into trouble with his pals. He became a talented high jumper and was the first in Utah to high jump 7 feet. He also held the high jump record at Payson High School until this spring. Later while attending BYU on scholarship, he was able to travel to many fun places with the track team, including Europe where he met with the Queen.

Dan married Colleen Christensen (Ogden) and had three kids, Joseph, Kami, and Michelle. He had three grandchildren who adored their papa. Dan later married Carol Jean Cassity and enjoyed taking her, and her children and grandchildren on adventures.

Dan was always full of energy and had many skills and talents including his ability to repair almost any machine and build almost anything with wood. He also cared for a beautiful yard and vegetable garden. If he wasn’t building something useful or working in his yard, you could usually find him at the golf course with his Mad Men golf crew.

An outdoor enthusiast, Dan loved hunting and spotting (often with his brother Scott and good friend Phil), as well as hiking in southern Utah with family and friends. He enjoyed spending time in the Fillmore mountains, Henry mountains, and on the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Some of his favorite hikes were the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim, Muley twist, and Buckskin gulch. He frequently would go “nomad camping” because he didn’t want to stay in one place and had to explore as much as possible. Dan wasn’t afraid to try new things, and took up wakeboarding in his 50’s. He loved his annual trips to Lake Powell with his family and work friends for many years.

Dan was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He enjoyed serving, as demonstrated by his tremendous work in his ward’s garden which he tended to for many years. One activity that was especially impactful in his life was going with the youth on “Trek” in Wyoming.

Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend will be deeply missed, but we know he is in heaven enjoying endless golf and hiking without pain.

Dan is survived by his siblings, Jane (Marvin) Tuckett, Scott Mendenhall, Robert “Tuna” (Kay) Mendenhall, Lori Mendenhall Toutai, and Melanie (Traci) Mendenhall; his children Joseph Dan Mendenhall, Kami (Jesse) Swift, and Michelle Mendenhall; his grandkids, and many nieces and nephews with whom he enjoyed spending time. He is preceded in death by his parents Rex Alphonzo Mendenhall, and Harriett TerLouw Mendenhall, and sister-in-law Kris Mendenhall.

A visitation will be held Thursday morning, June 6, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah 84651.  Following the visitation, a graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah 84651.