Anyone who had the great fortune to know Dad, even for five minutes, knew that he was always full of stories. Well, Dad, now it's our turn to try to do justice to the story of your life.Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather, Irvin Dale Despain, passed quietly and peacefully from this life on June 16, 2008, after a brief illness. Dad has now gone on to be with his eternal sweetheart, Margaret. It was difficult for him to be alone after 72 years of marriage. He resided at the Courtyard At Jamestown Assisted Living Center located at 3352 North 100 East in Provo, Utah at the time of his death.






I. Dale was born October 4, 1912 on the family farm west of Lovell, Wyoming to Robert Henry Despain and Julia Thomas. He was the ninth of their 12 children. Life on the farm was not easy. They had many struggles, but Dad said that although they were poor, they hardly noticed it because everyone else they knew was poor, too. I. Dale started at BYU in 1932. Shortly after arriving, Dad met his eternal sweetheart, Margaret Domgaard, of Salina, Utah. Their romance began with the now famous "penny postcard and a batch of brownies" story, and after a two year courtship, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 5, 1935. Dad often told the story of his graduation from BYU in 1936. He had, "One wife, one child, a diploma, and no job." He and Margaret ended up with three sons, two daughters, and he had a fulfilling career. As his chosen career, Dad was a city planner and planning consultant. He worked for many cities and private entities in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and New Mexico. He was very proud of his contributions in laying out many of Provo's city parks, roads, cemeteries, schools and private properties as well as the Provo Temple site. One could stand high on the east bench of Provo, and Dad would point out all of the places that he had a hand in. I. Dale was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served faithfully in many callings of the church and he and his wife Margaret served a mission in 1982-1983 to San Jose, California- working mainly with the Chinese branch. He was well respected in the community. Dad served actively for many years in the Kiwani's Club. He enjoyed his associations and the friends he made there. He was proud of the good that they did in helping with various fund raising projects. As we said earlier, Dad was always full of stories. He was especially proud of the Despain Family History he helped publish in 1978 and his personal history he wrote with the help of his daughter, Diane. You would often see him reading them and passing out copies to anyone interested. Dad frequently pointed out the pictures of his family on the walls of his home. He would lovingly tell stories of his sweetheart, Margaret, his children, parents, and brothers and sisters. He was famous for giving plenty of advice, and had an opinion on almost everything. He lived a rich and full life crowned by lots of love and fond memories.






I. Dale is survived by his five children, K. Dale Despain (Sonja) Provo; Rodney H. Despain (Dolores) Orem; Kathryn Bush (Robert) Ogden; D. Kim Despain (Michelle) Provo; and Diane Worthington, Cedar Hills; his brothers, Gordon and Wayne Despain. Dad's posterity includes 21 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; his parents; six brothers; three sisters; and one grandson.





Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at the Provo Peak 2nd Ward (Locust Lane Chapel), 965 North Locust Lane, Provo, Utah. Family and Friends may call on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem, Utah and on Saturday morning prior to the Services.
Interment will be held at East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery, 4800 North 650 East, Provo, Utah.
Published in the Deseret News from 6/18/2008 - 6/19/2008.