Donell Adair

Donell Jean Adair

March 27, 1942 - October 16, 2026

Donell was born on March 27, 1942, in Cedar City, UT, to Joseph Welton Adair and Susan Eveline Smith. He graduated from this life on October 16, 2026, in Centerfield, UT.

He spent his early childhood in New Harmony, UT, and had very fond memories of his years there.

Donell graduated from Olympus High School, where he played football, wrestled, and played drums in the marching band. After high school, he joined the United States Air Force. He served in the Air Force from October 30, 1960, to October 30, 1964. He served as the liquid fuel specialist in both conventional and non-conventional fuels in the missile department, or rather “Strategic Air Command,” at Vandenberg in Lompoc, California. He helped in the development of the “Atlas Missile”. While serving in the Air Force, he served two stake missions, which he always spoke of with pride. He loved the people he met there.

He was encouraged to serve a full-time mission by then apostle Spencer W. Kimball, whom he was good friends with. He began his full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to American Samoa on November 7, 1964. Donell loved his mission and loved dedicating his time to the Lord. He loved the people of Samoa. While on his mission, he contracted hepatitis and was advised to return to Utah by then apostle Thomas S. Monson.

President Kimball and several other apostles and their wives told him he would meet his wife while on his mission. While still set apart as a missionary after his return home to Salt Lake City, he did meet the love of his life, Ronda Bawden. Thus began a legacy of love, faith, trials, and a huge posterity.

Donell and Ronda were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on November 17, 1966. Donell passed just a month before their 60th wedding anniversary.

Donell and Ronda had 13 children. This resulted in a large posterity that became his greatest pride and joy in life! He told everyone he met about his family and his love for them all. We were his pride and joy. While raising their family, Donell and Ronda lived in many different locations before settling in Mayfield, where they have lived for the last 44 years. Donell worked in many careers, but his favorite was being a real estate agent.

Donell loved to go deer hunting and loved to spend time in the mountains with his family. He loved riding horses and taught his kids to love it too. Some of our fondest memories of our Dad were the times we spent with him outdoors.

He taught his children that we could do anything we set our minds to. He taught us how to care for animals, how to plant a garden, how to fix a car, and he even taught his teenage daughters how to shingle a roof.

Donell served in many church positions, including high priest, young mens, and Cub Scouts. He loved serving with the youth and helping them learn and grow. He always felt that his greatest calling in life was to show love and acceptance to those that others had given up on. He loved unconditionally. He would give the clothes off his back and the food from his table to help others he felt were in need. He would often be found counseling people to return to the faith. He counseled his children to always forgive each other and taught us that nothing was more important than family and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Donell is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Susan Eveline Smith, his brothers Delwin, Lynn, and Gerry Adair, and his sister Sherill Clegg. His in-laws: Glen and Aileen Bawden; sisters-in-law Nona Williams, Elvira, and Dixie Adair; and son-in-law John Blaser.

Survived by wife: Ronda Adair. Children: Nina (Ramon) Jiron, Pepper Bassett, Guy (Melita) Adair, Ginger (John) Blaser, Shawnell (Cathy) Adair, Brandon Adair, Veon (Dennis) Mower, Rainbow (Garet) Mortensen, Vonda (Matthew) Jensen, Evelyn (Bradley) Blake, Aileen (Kevin) Seely, Joell (Jessie) Adair, Treyson (Michelle) Adair. 52 grandchildren, 15 spouses of grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren, with one on the way, and brothers Phillip and Rolland Adair.

Our family would like to thank Gunnison Home Health and Mission at Community Care Center for their love and care for our father.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 11:00 am in the Mayfield Ward Chapel. A viewing will be held at the Church on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and prior to services from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The burial will be held at the Mayfield Cemetery with Military Honors. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti