Don Allen Udall

Don Allen Udall (1938 ~ 2023) – Don, age 85, peacefully passed on June 12, 2023 due to complications from a rare cancer of the liver. Don was born on January 10, 1938 in St. John’s, Arizona to Gilbert and Sarah (Brown) Udall. He was the youngest of ten children from the large, well-known Arizona Udall Family. Don excelled at a young age and throughout his life, first attending Brigham Young University and then Baylor medical school. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Southern States Mission. After finishing medical school, Don later became a renowned urological surgeon, working at Hoag Hospital (Newport) for 38 years. Don cherished his five children, from his previous marriages to Marlene Fansler and Kathleen Norris, respectively. He loved to take his children motorcycle riding, skiing, horseback riding, backpacking, and traveling the globe. He loved teaching them essential life lessons and funny jokes. He taught them resilience, a hard-work ethic, to keep healthy, stay close to God, and always be curious about history and people. Don showed optimism and friendliness throughout his life, even during some of his darkest days. He also deeply loved caring for animals, especially breeding homing pigeons in his youth and later years. In 1999, Don married Lina Lin, the love of his life. Shortly after their marriage, Don ran for US Congress for California’s 48th Congressional District with a platform emphasizing healthcare reform, term limits, and border control. Don and Lina traveled extensively throughout the world, from Mexico to China to Israel, and everywhere in between. Don had a way of lifting and blessing so many people, especially his loyal friends and family. He could fill the room with his love for life. Sometimes, he was “as strong as a cartload of onions,” but he loved to laugh, even at himself. In his later years, Don loved serving God and others as a missionary to the local LDS Mandarin-speaking branch and in the House of the Lord. Don is survived by his beloved wife, Lina, his children Lani (Udall) Kowalk of Sandy, Utah; Jed Udall of Westlake Village, California; Brook Udall of Auburn, California; Don Norris Udall of Clovis, California; Sara (Udall) Redd of Springville, Utah; as well as sixteen grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Don Udall will be greatly missed. Please join us in celebrating an amazing life on Friday, June 23, 2023. The viewing will begin at 9:00 AM, with the memorial service at 10:00 AM. The service will be held at 2150 Bonita Canyon Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Don will be laid to rest at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach, California. .