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Leroy,
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I wanted to know if you could add my late Grandfather to your website. My name is David Baptist and my grandfather Donald Victor Baptist just died at age 81. He was a retired SJPD reserve officer who served from 1967 through 1974 (in addition to being a successful businessman, community leader and many other things). We attended his funeral just last week,
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On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, Donald Victor Baptist, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away in his St. George home at age 81. Don was born on February 2, 1941, in Oakland, California to Leonard George and Catherine Marie (Ross) Baptist. He grew up in Mission San Jose (Fremont). He married the love of his life, Shirley Nelson on February 14, 1989, in San Jose, California. He spent his life in Northern California until he moved to St. George, Utah in 2001. Don started working at age 17 and excelled in his career. Throughout his life he worked as a painter, retail manager, insurance salesman, and then real estate investor and developer. With his partner, Jim Fuqua, he formed Fuqua & Baptist Management Company and found great success in real estate investing and development. Additionally, he was a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) and served as a reserve police officer for the San Jose Police Department from 1967 through 1974.
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Don devoted much of his life to service. He taught at-risk youth at the Foundry (San Jose, CA) to set goals and better manage their futures using his book, Mind Management. He volunteered at the Intermountain Healthcare Emergency Room (St. George, UT). He drove a school bus for Washington County School District. He also served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Employment Services, training people to develop marketable skills and find employment. Beyond this, he spent countless hours as a loving mentor to many.
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Don was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Jonathan. Don is survived by his wife, Shirley; their 6 children, Dwayne (Ellen), Rick (Pam), Jim (Joan), Ron (Merlinda), Harley (Conny) Willesen, and Sheri McGarvey; 13 grandchildren, Paul, Peter, Mitch (Alex), Morgan (Eric) Elmore, David, Michael (Audrey), Tiffany (Michael) Bella, Jennifer, Amanda, Nicholas, Amy (Justin) DeBorba, Tyler Willesen, and Jessica (Kaden) Clements; and 6 great grandchildren.
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Statement by grandson David Baptist:
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My Grandfather Donald Victor Baptist was a one-of-a-kind individual who was filled with many admirable qualities. He was smart, intelligent, witty, hard working, business savvy and bold. He was also very generous, family loving, community service oriented, good humored and a devout Mormon. I think he packed at least 3 lifetimes worth of business ventures, career activities and other experiences into his 81 years on this planet, all without a formal college degree. At his eulogy in Utah Grandpa’s son Dwayne read the following fantastic quote by Jack London that was emblazoned above the fireplace of their childhood home in San Jose.
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“I would rather be ashes than dust!
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I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
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I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
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The function of man is to live, not to exist.
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I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
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I shall use my time.”
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I feel that these remarks from Mr. London perfectly encapsulate Grandpa Don’s mindset. He seized life by the horns and was a prime example of what it is possible to achieve as citizen of the United States when you put your mind to it.
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I am honored and privileged to have known him for almost 40 years and to have been able to call him my Grandfather. He will be greatly missed by me and everyone else who knew him.
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Editor’s note: Would that we all should be remembered with such good will…
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