Donald Richard Layden

Donald Richard Layden died in the final minutes of Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 at the Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona from complications of a stroke. He was 82 years old. Donald was born on April 26, 1930 in Gallup, McKinley County, New Mexico to his parents, the late Thomas Richard and Ruby Irene (McDonald) Layden. Don graduated from Holbrook High School in 1949. He went on to fulfill a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Texas Louisiana Mission. After his mission, he completed a degree in Education at Brigham Young University in 1960. He then returned to Holbrook, Arizona to begin his teaching career. Don met Barbara Stewart at BYU and continued a long distance relationship and finally married on February 4, 1961 in Greenville, Kentucky. They were sealed for time and all eternity on March 31, 1961 in the Salt Lake Temple. Don received his Master's Degree in 1965 from Western Kentucky University. He taught history for 34 years, predominately in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corps. Many students were influenced by his storytelling teaching ability. He made history com alive. Donald was an active member of the LDS Church and served the Lord his entire life. Upon retiring in 1994, he was able to fulfill 2 full-time missions with his eternal companion, Barbara, one to Nevada and the other to Salt Lake City in Utah. Donald is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Barbara S. Layden; 5 children: Shawn, Lance, Troy, Kemp, Heather; 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons. The public visitation will be from 8:30 A.M. until 10:45 A.M., Friday, April 5, 2013 at the Holbrook Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1127 Helen Avenue in Holbrook, Arizona. The funeral service will immediately follow at the Stake Center beginning at 11:00 A.M. The concluding service and interment will take place at the Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery in Taylor, Arizona. Floral tributes gladly will be accepted, however, memorial contributions to the General Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been suggested by his family. The Layden family is thankful for all of the expressions of sympathy they have received but are especially grateful for all of the prayers offered up on their behalf during this difficult season.