Dee Jay Bigler April 28, 1940 - December 23, 2024

Dee Jay Bigler passed away peacefully at his home in Mapleton, surrounded by his family, on December 23, 2024. He was born to David (Poon) and Mildred (Mim) Rife Bigler on April 28, 1940, in Payson, Utah and had one younger sister, Carmille Rogers.

Dee Jay spent most of his childhood in Provo, Utah and graduated from Orem High School’s first graduating class in 1958. While in high school, he played on the baseball, basketball and tennis teams, and played the trumpet in the school marching band. Dee Jay’s tennis letter sweater is currently in the display case at Orem High School. After high school, he joined the Utah National Guard and did his basic training in Arkansas. Upon returning from National Guard training, he attended Snow College on a basketball and tennis scholarship. After one year at Snow College, he transferred to BYU to play tennis for the “Y”.

Dee Jay met Carol Jean Saunders during his junior year and Carol’s freshman year at BYU. They started dating in the fall and were engaged on Valentine’s Day. They married August 7, 1963, in the Salt Lake Temple, and have enjoyed 61 years of
marriage.

Dee Jay worked for Union Pacific Railroad for 33 years prior to retiring. He enjoyed the many friendships and acquaintances he made while employed at the railroad. He loved that his son Devan followed in his footsteps and worked alongside him as a carman for Union Pacific in Provo.

Dee Jay quietly served in many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was called by Spencer W. Kimball, then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as recreational director and was responsible for heading up the recreational activities of the church athletic programs. He organized and ran many church tournaments for basketball, golf and softball. He called and organized a committee of men to help plan and run this large church program, and loved those with whom he served. He was proud of his idea to have them all wear red blazers during events so they would be easy to find. He was the last
surviving “Red Blazer”. He also loved working in the scouting program and helped many boys earn their Eagle Scout Awards.

After retirement he served in the baptistry of the Provo Temple for almost 10 years. He loved interacting with the youth, missionaries, and BYU students while serving in the temple.

Carol and Dee Jay raised their four children in Mapleton, Utah. They have lived in their home for 55 years and loved being part of the Mapleton Community. Dee Jay was known as Coach to many. He coached basketball, baseball and girls softball. Some highlights of his coaching years were taking a Mapleton All-Star boys baseball team to the West Division Bronco League Tournament in Oregon in 1975, and winning a Fox League girls softball state championship in 1984. When he wasn’t coaching, he was playing golf at Hobble Creek. He even taught Carol how to golf and for many years it was a weekly date for them. He loved golfing in Hobble Creek Men’s Night with his boys and had 4 holes in one at Hobble Creek during Men’s night. Three of his holes in one were at age 78 over a 3 week period. The only par 3 on Hobble Creek he didn’t get a hole in one on was hole
#10.

Dee Jay was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He loved spending time with family camping, hunting and fishing. It was so important to him that in 1994, he joined “Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife”. He spent 30 years supporting the advancement of hunting and fishing in the state of Utah and was recently recognized for his lifetime of service to this cause. He has passed the love of outdoors to his children, grand-children and great-grandchildren.

Dee Jay is survived by his wife Carol Jean; children Drew (Ashley), Elk Ridge, Utah, Dirk (Stacie), Ammon, Idaho, Dori Palmer, Salem, Utah, and daughter-in-law Jeannett, Payson, Utah, Nineteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.

He was proceeded in death by his parents David and Mildred Bigler, his sister Carmille Rogers, his son Devan Bigler, son-in-law Kenneth Palmer and granddaughter Kayla Jean Palmer.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2024, from 6-8pm at Walker Funeral Home 187 South Main Spanish Fork, Utah. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 11:00 am at Mapleton 23rd Ward Chapel, 1050 North 300 West Mapleton, Utah. There will be a viewing from 9:30 am to 10:45 am prior to the funeral at the 23rd Ward Chapel. Interment following the funeral at Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude for the loving care provided by Adrianna and Monique with Symbii Hospice services and the aides with Always Best Care.