Richard LeRoy DeLand

Richard Leroy DeLand, age 97, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2026, in West Jordan, Utah, surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 16, 1929, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to George Leroy DeLand and Winifred Lillian Griffith. Raised primarily in Southern California, Richard graduated from Compton High School in 1947. He later attended Branch Agricultural College (now Southern Utah University) in Cedar City, Utah, where he played on the school’s basketball team.

Following his studies, Richard served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon his return, he began a lifetime of devotion to his Savior by serving a two-and-a-half-year full-time mission to Sweden.

After his mission, Richard enrolled at Brigham Young University. Just two months later, he was assigned to home teach a beautiful young lady named Carol Whitaker. Richard immediately knew why he had enrolled at BYU. Less than a year later, Richard and Carol were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 15, 1958. While pursuing a history teaching degree, Richard took classes in teaching Seminary, which reshaped his career path. After student teaching at Springville High School, he was hired full-time by the Church Educational System in 1961, beginning a long, dedicated career teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Among his many responsibilities, an assignment to teach at the Church school in Apia, Western Samoa, forever changed his family. They arrived with two children and welcomed their third in Samoa. The DeLand family developed a deep, lifelong affinity for the Polynesian people—a bond that remained visible until the very last moments of Richard's life as he was lovingly cared for by many Polynesian nurses and CNAs. Fa’afetai!

Richard later earned a master’s degree in religious education from BYU and utilized his artistic talents while working in the Curriculum Department for Seminaries & Institutes of Religion. Beyond his professional work, one of Richard’s greatest joys was writing and illustrating original children’s books, which became treasured moments with his grandchildren.

Richard was a loving husband and father who prioritized his family above all else. While raising six children largely fell upon Carol, Richard was quick to come home and jump into the daily work of parenting—playing with the kids, changing diapers, and working in the yard. Each of his six children is deeply grateful for a father who spent individual time with them on homework, projects, and sports, while teaching them to appreciate nature and the importance of being still. Long before "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" was published, Richard lived its truths every day.

A devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, Richard exemplified Christlike humility, obedience, service, kindness, knowledge, and endurance. His lifetime of church service included the calling as a stake patriarch, through which he gave close to 1,000 patriarchal blessings. He and Carol also served two full-time missions together in Maryland and Arizona.

Richard’s greatest passion was connecting with people and sharing the gospel. He made friends everywhere he went, never hesitating to testify of what he loved and knew to be true. Perhaps his most admirable gift was his ability to love others, regardless of their beliefs. He truly was a man without guile and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Carol Jean Whitaker DeLand; his parents: George Leroy and Winifred Lillian (Griffith) DeLand and siblings Arlene Vial, Ronald DeLand, and Gale DeLand.

Richard is survived by his children: Kathy Peterson (Doug), Steven (Stacey) DeLand, Karen Bruening (Merlin), Ron DeLand, Brent DeLand, Jennifer Rowland (Jeff); 15 Grandchildren and 13 Great-Grandchildren; his sister DeOnne Grimmer (Louie), Step Mother-in-Law Barbara Whitaker, Brothers-in-Law Keith Whitaker (Candy) and Kent Whitaker (Tammy).

The viewing and funeral service will be held Wednesday July 29, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 4825 W. 7000 S. West Jordan, Utah 84081. The viewing will be held from 8:30 – 10:30 AM with funeral services to follow beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Memorial Cemetery, 6500 S. Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah.