Darrell Barnett Thomas, 91, of Mapleton, Utah, slipped away peacefully in his sleep from this earthly existence on August 8, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born on April 20, 1933, to Mark Austin and Nyda Mae (Barnett) Thomas, he was a devoted husband to Beverly Ann (Brady) and loving father to Bonnie Jean (Myers) and David Brady Thomas.

From a humble farm boy in Leland, Utah to renowned professor at Western Michigan University, Darrell Barnett Thomas left a lasting impression on many during his storied life journey. After you met Darrell you left with a smile, but more importantly you left wiser.

Darrell was a genuine man who loved life, people and his faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As a young man working on the family farm, he learned rewards were earned and not given. After graduating from Spanish Fork High School, he went to work in Canada for the Forest Service for a short time before embarking on an experience that defined the rest of his life.

Serving a mission to the Hawaiian Islands helped shape this farm boy into a man of faith and a spiritual giant. As an assistant to mission President D. Arthur Haycock, Darrell developed his leadership skills that would serve him through all the important callings he had in the church. He was privy to many spiritual experiences throughout his mission. If you ever had the opportunity to speak to him about those sacred experiences he had while serving the Hawaiian people, you left feeling uplifted and spiritually fed.

After serving an honorable mission, he entered Brigham Young University where he met his sweetheart and eternal companion. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on September 12, 1957. After almost completing his PhD, he received a job offer which took them to Flint, Michigan in 1960. In 1966 he took a position in Kalamazoo, Michigan as a professor at Western Michigan University teaching human relations and family studies. During the 40+ years living in Michigan, Darrell not only fed young minds attending the University, he also was instrumental in growing the faith of countless members of the church in Michigan. The youth of the church held a special place in his heart, being an often sought after speaker and teacher.

He held many callings in the church which included Bishop and Counselor in several Stake Presidencies.

Darrell was a friend to all (especially the four-legged kind). When he wasn’t building model airplanes for himself or others, working in the yard or helping around the house, he was helping others through rough times in their lives. Always an example of Christ-like love, his gift for counseling saved many marriages and lives.

After retirement, 2001 brought the farm boy back to Utah. Together, Darrell and his sweetheart settled in Mapleton and built their “forever” home. Darrell’s dedication to the church never skipped a beat as he continued counseling and helping those around him any way that he could. One of his greatest thrills was the construction of a new chapel being built across the field that their home overlooked. Darrell would often visit the site as it was being built and eventually became a steward over the building, spending countless hours cleaning every inch of it.

His quest for life and adventure put him behind the controls of small airplanes which he flew to dust the very crops he toiled as a boy among with friends and family. Later in life he turned his love for flying into a love for remote-controlled airplanes. To this very day you can see scores of airplanes hanging from the ceiling in the basement, in window wells, on appliances, and tucked in the garage of his beloved home. You could build a virtual air force with the balsam wood, engines, parts, controls and batteries still in his basement workshop.

Anyone who knew Darrell knew that he had to have been the original MacGuyver. He was always jury-rigging things and believed that duct tape was the best fix for everything, including a truss belt for his hernias. He also had a huge sweet tooth. Darrell’s favorite was a bowl of ice cream every night before bed, a sure secret to a long life. This was second only to a strawberry milkshake from Barry’s Drive-in (that was often smuggled into the hospital), or his Halloween candy stuffed in the basket of his walker. One of his last requests was to have a big jar of peanut M&Ms.

Though Darrell may not have liked being the center of attention, he deserved to have his long years of faith and dedication honored. He was a man of integrity, kindness, generosity and unconditional love. He left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Beverly Ann Thomas, daughter Bonnie Jean (Larry) Myers, son David Thomas, grandchildren Brady (Sheri) Merschrod-Myers, Mercedey (Preston) Smith, Nate Merschrod-Carter, Aaron Thomas, Daric Thomas, Adison Thomas, Airalyn Thomas, brother Austin Barnett Thomas, sister Karen Marie (Terry) Davis, brother-in-law Ric Brady as well as many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

We find comfort in knowing Darrell’s legacy lives on through the lessons he taught, the love he shared, and the memories we will cherish forever.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday August 24, 2024, at the Mapleton 23 rd Ward chapel on 1050 N 300 W, Mapleton, Utah. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am followed by the service at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Spanish Fork Cemetery on 420 S 400 E, Spanish Fork, Utah.

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The funeral service for Darrell Barnett Thomas will be streamed live. Please return to this memorial page shortly before Saturday, August 24, 2024 and click on the link below.

Darrell Barnett Thomas's Livestream Broadcast