Darryl Poy Dong

After nearly 72 years of joyful relationships, hard work and meaningful service, Darryl Poy Dong passed away peacefully on Monday, April 12, 2021, surrounded by his family.
Darryl was born on September 5, 1949 to Joseph and Violet Dong in Billings, Montana, though he spent much of his youth in Ephrata, Washington. The oldest of five children, Darryl took his role as an older brother seriously, always looking for chances to support his siblings. This resulted in strong relationships that he cherished throughout his life. 
When he was 19, he made the choice—against most of his family and friends’ wishes—to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in Taiwan from 1968–71, and he always considered those years to be among the best and most important of his life. Upon his return, he attended Brigham Young University, where he graduated in communications and, more importantly, met his future wife, Anna Lee. Darryl and Anna were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on April 16, 1977. (He passed away only four days before their 44th anniversary.)
Darryl and Anna spent much of their married life in Sandy, Utah, where they raised their three children—Jared, Jonathan and Stephanie. Darryl always worked hard to take care of his family, often holding down two jobs and working six days each week. He spent several decades doing logistics for a company that ended up as a subsidiary of UPS. He retired in 2015. Despite his busy work schedule, he always prioritized Sundays for church service and family time. His favorite church calling was being a home teacher, where he could interact with and provide meaningful service to his brothers and sisters in the gospel. Darryl loves his Savior, Jesus Christ, and always strived to follow his teachings. 
He was also a master at grilling steaks and making hash browns, and he loved action movies, day-old doughnuts topped with melted butter, and spending time eating pie and playing mahjong with his family.
Darryl served his second mission to Taiwan—this time with Anna as his companion—from January 2019 until the end of July 2020. Within a week of returning to the United States, he contracted COVID-19. He was hospitalized and subsequently spent several weeks on a ventilator. After more than three months, he was able to return home and spend the holidays with his family. On January 2, 2021, however, he suffered the first of three strokes, a result of weakened blood vessels due to COVID-19. After his first stroke, he lost many of his physical capabilities and steadily declined until he passed away. This was a difficult time for Darryl and his family, especially Anna. Through it all, though, his gratitude for those around him continued to grow. Each day, whenever a doctor, nurse, therapist or other caregiver would enter his room and ask him how he was doing, he’d reply, “Life is wonderful.” He never complained. He remained hopeful and optimistic, working hard to rehabilitate and regain his strength despite consistent setbacks. If he could express how he feels today, he would be profusely grateful for those who have supported him—especially the hospital and care center workers who spend each day trying to improve so many lives.  
Darryl is survived by his wife and three children, as well as his daughter-in-law Jenny Dong; son-in-law Matt Payne; seven energetic grandsons—Xander, Zed, Ezra and Enzo Dong, and Zach, Lincoln and Remington Payne; plus his brothers Jeff (Vivian), Mike (Barbara) and Stuart (Carma); his sister April; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to the LDS Church’s Humanitarian Aid Fund to support vaccine distribution throughout the world.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday April 17, 2021 at 11:00am a viewing will be held an hour prior at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  2180 Meadowlark Way, Sandy, UT 84093. Interment will follow at Memorial Lake Hills Cemetery 10055 State Street, Sandy, UT 84070.
Streaming Recording Download Link:
The link will expire on May 15, 2021
Topic: Memorial Mountain View’s Personal Meeting Room
Date: Apr 17, 2021 09:56 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Meeting Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/I4reTi7TnigcnVudT2c1Iu3nCNnFaLmLrwLYsyavQB4k9e_AUdH7FCkD1J-D5a3s.21ygj20hJ-F3zfoJ
Service Information
Viewing April 17, 2021 at 10:00AM - 10:40AM
2180 Meadowlark Way, Sandy, Utah





Funeral Service
April 17, 2021 at 11:00AM - 12:00PM
2180 Meadowlark Way, Sandy, Utah