Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Darryl Palmer Lane, 85

Darryl Palmer Layne, 85, of St. George, Utah, passed away on December 15th, 2025, in the comfort of his home. He was born April 25th, 1940, in Preston, Idaho, to Garald and Doris Layne, the fourth of nine children. Darryl was married to Joanne Savage in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 27th, 1965.

Darryl spent the first 11 years of his life in Lewiston, Utah, before his family relocated to Whitehall, Montana. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to the SEABEES Construction Battalion. After proudly serving his country, he was called to serve in the New England State's Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After returning home from his mission, he met his eternal companion, Joanne Savage. After marriage, Darryl started his construction career on the I-90 Homestake Pass interstate project. Upon completion, Darryl and Joanne then relocated to Arlington, Oregon, where Darryl worked on the Columbia River Basin Project associated with the John Day Dam. Darryl and Joanne returned to Whitehall, where Darryl worked as a mechanic for the Anaconda Company. Shortly after, Darryl and Joanne welcomed their first of four children, Denise, in February of 1968.

Around the same time he became a father, Darryl began his truck-driving career with Northern Pacific Transport Company and purchased 30 acres of land outside Whitehall to start a farming life. Darryl and Joanne then welcomed their second child, Jason, and Darryl joined the United States Navy Reserves. Over the next 13 years of his career, Darryl transitioned to over-the-road truck driving and worked for Consolidated Freightways, Safeway, and Kings County Trucking. Darryl and Joanne also expanded their farming endeavors to 110 acres, comprising eighty acres of their own land and thirty acres of a neighbor's. In 1976, they welcomed their third child, Carrin, and built their family home on the eighty acres they had purchased on the outskirts of Whitehall. In 1979, they expanded their family again with the birth of their youngest son, Neal. In 1984, Darryl traded a life on the road for a new career with the Golden Sunlight Mine in Whitehall, where he worked as an equipment operator in the open pit and later became a shift lead man. In 1991, Darryl was called to active duty during Operation Desert Storm, where he served at Naval Weapons Station in Concord, California. Upon returning home, Darryl was involved in an accident at the mine and suffered injuries that left him a paraplegic. Despite his injury, Darryl's strong will and incredible work ethic prevailed, and he returned to work at the mine three months later in the purchasing department. Darryl worked for 9 more years at the mine before retiring at 60.

Ever the hard worker, Darryl pursued an associate's degree in accounting at Montana Tech during the beginning of his retirement. In 2002, Darryl and Joanne decided to escape the Montana winters and relocated to sunny St. George, Utah.

Darryl's number one hobby was spending time with his family, and he was the most dedicated, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Darryl also loved his family's horses, riding four-wheelers and wave runners, camping, and supporting his kids and grandchildren in their sporting events. Darryl enjoyed many church callings and was known for being friendly and conversational with everyone he met.

Darryl is survived by his wife, Joanne; his four children, Denise (Bryce), Jason (Lori), Carrin (Jim), and Neal (Kate); thirteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Carolyn and Kristy. He was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings, Devar, LaDawn, John, Lawrence, Steven, and Cherie.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 27th, 2025, at 11 AM, with a viewing at 10 AM, at the LDS church at 3381 Mulberry Dr, St. George, Utah 84790. Interment will follow at Tonaquint Cemetery in St. George, Utah.

 
 

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