Donald Newell Nish
Donald Newell Nish
January 16, 1934 – January 30, 2026
Donald "Don" Newell Nish, a devoted husband, father, Air Force veteran and hardworking provider, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026. Born on January 16, 1934, in Malad, Idaho, he was the third child of Anna Goddard and Newell Ancel Nish. Don grew up in the small town of Plymouth, Utah, where he learned the value of hard work early on, earning the nickname "Working Pony" from his mother for his willingness to run errands and help on the family farm.
Don attended schools in Plymouth and Garland before graduating from Bear River High School in 1952. “Big Bear” Don stood 6"4" by his junior year and was a standout basketball player, notably leading the state in scoring during his senior year.
A man of deep faith, Don served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New England Mission. He served in Massachusetts, Maine, Nova Scotia, Vermont, and New Hampshire, and held leadership positions including Second Counselor in the Mission Presidency.
Following his mission, Don returned to farming with his father in Montana and Plymouth. While a student at Brigham Young University, he began dating Barbara Ann Berardy, a young woman from Montana. They fell in love quickly and were married on February 19, his father’s birthday, in the Logan Utah Temple.
Don was a natural salesman and entrepreneur. His career spanned industries and state lines, taking his family on adventures across the country. He worked in farming, sold pianos and organs, and became a top-performing division manager for pharmaceutical companies like Dorsey Labs in Seattle and Minneapolis. He also worked in insurance, industrial chemicals, and the oil and gas industry in Texas and Utah. Regardless of the job, Don was known for his persistence, waking up early to make calls and outworking the competition.
He and Barbara were blessed with six children: Melinda A. Nish, Newport Beach, CA; Donald N. (Peggy) Nish II, Bountiful, UT; Elaine A. (Mark) Christensen, Henderson, NV; David M. (Tiffany) Nish, Santa Clara, UT; Charity R. (Rick) Williams, San Diego, CA; Robert V. (Stacy) Nish, Draper, UT. The family lived in many places, including Utah, Montana, Washington, Minnesota, Texas, and Nevada, making friends and memories wherever they went.
In his later years, Don faced significant health challenges with his back but remained resilient. He and Barbara eventually settled in Hurricane, Utah, before moving to a care facility in Taylorsville, Utah in 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert (Bob), sisters Ruth Elaine and Deanna and his beloved wife, Barbara, who passed away on January 10, 2022.
Don is survived by his sister Carrie June, brother Verl, six children, numerous grandchildren, and a legacy of hard work, faith, and dedication to his family. The family wishes to thank the staff of Meadow Peak for the kind and loving care they have given to Don.
Burial will be in the Plymouth, Utah Cemetery. Services pending.