Donald Mower

Donald Lee Mower (82) passed away peacefully on January 17, 2015 at his home in American Fork, Utah surrounded by his family. He was born July 17, 1932 in Spring Canyon, Utah. He grew up in Springville and American Fork. Don was the seventh of nine children born to Clarence and Leona Mower. He is survived by four of his siblings Connie, Bill, Janice, and Diane. He married his sweetheart, Pearl Thompson in the Manti Temple on July 27, 1955. Their five children are Doug (Jody), Mike, Susan, Steven (Sally), and David (Lynne). Don and Pearl are loved and adored by their 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Don was a revered football coach and teacher for 38 years at American Fork High School teaching and coaching thousands of young men and women.
Don was a 150 pound all-state lineman football player for American Fork. He was a member of the 1950 state championship basketball team and catcher for the baseball team. After high school, Don served in the Army and later graduated from Brigham Young University where he played freshman football and pole vaulted for the track team.
Coach Mower's early life was greatly influenced by athletics and his dream was to be a football coach. As American Fork's head football coach he shared two state championships and ten region championships with his fellow coaches, athletes and the community. He was also one of the founders of the youth football program in North Utah County and he coached little league baseball and high school wrestling teams. Don loved being a math teacher and he took pride in his role as an educator. He often visited with former students and players and he thrived on their recent visits.
Don valued his relationship with many great friends and fellow coaches that were close to him throughout his life. They loved playing cards, traveling, skiing, and anything that brought them together. His friends were important to him and they were by his side over the last few months of his life.
Don was an example of hard work. In addition to teaching and coaching, Don worked at the Forest Service, officiated basketball games, and sheered countless sheep. Don most enjoyed being with his family. He loved Elk Hunting on Skyline Drive, float tube fishing on Strawberry Reservoir, backpacking in the Wind Rivers, driving the White Rim Trail, and watching sporting events, always with a diet coke in hand. A big part of his life was attending the many activities of his grandchildren.
Don was a faithful member of the LDS church. He served in many callings, worked in the humanitarian program, and served in the Mount Timpanogos Temple for 13 years.
Many have described the influence Don had on their lives. He will be missed by his family, friends, and so many that he coached and taught. His positive attitude and energetic life was a source of inspiration to those around him.
The Mower family wishes to thank those who helped care for and support Don in the last several months. We appreciate the many thoughts and memories that have been shared by friends, coaches, neighbors, ward members, and former students and athletes.
Don's funeral services will be held Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 11:00 AM in the American Fork East State Center, 825 East 500 North, American Fork, Utah. Viewings will be held Friday, January 23 from 6-8 PM at Anderson Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork and on Saturday from 9:45-10:45 AM at the East Stake Center.