Derrell T. Esplin

Derrell T. Esplin was born on April 14, 1928 to his two loving parents, Thomas Cox Esplin and Anne Turcsanski. Derrell was the third of four children. He was born in Kanab but mostly grew up in Monroe, Utah. As a young man, Derrell loved hunting and fishing. Derrell fiercely loved his family and especially his mom. He also loved to travel and spent some time working in Alaska when he was a young man. Derrell met his wife, Byrdie Jo Roundy Esplin, when she was working as a waitress at a café in Richfield, Utah. They fell in love and married in 1935 is Las Vegas, Nevada. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in March 1964 at the St. George Temple. He was a devoted husband. Derrell and Birdie were married for 68 years, and Derrell tenderly cared for Birdie almost until the day he passed. They had 4 children: Mark, Gary, Terezza, and Chad. Derrell was a loving father, and followed the good example of his father, he taught his children well.

Derrell was also a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints. He served in various callings of the church and was ordained as a member of the Seventy in 1978. Derrell loved the gospel, and especially loved to be involved in the scout program and in home teaching. Birdie often said that he was the best Home Teacher in the Ward. He spent many of his last years visiting with the widows of his Ward and providing them with the sacrament.

Derrell loved his country and served in the United States Air Force as a mechanic and electrician. He was a part of the team that assisted in Berlin airlift following WWII and often spoke of his memories of assisting the people of Germany at that difficult time in history. During his time in the military, Derrell also worked at the famed Area 51 and also at the Atom Bomb test site. He also worked on the electrical components of the original Black Hawk fighter plane. Following his retirement from the military, Derrell worked as a licensed electrician and was very well respected and knowledgeable. He was also a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Derrell was a loving, kind, gracious, considerate, supportive, and loyal. If you were lucky enough to have him as a friend, you had a friend for life. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was also determined, tenacious, and resilient. He passed away on April 23, 2023 of natural causes just following his 95th birthday.

Derrell was preceded in death by his mother, father, siblings, and his son Gary. He is survived by his loving wife Birdie, his children Mark, Terezza, Chad (Nicole), and his wife’s brothers and sisters.