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Donald Rex Gerratt

Apr. 9, 1936 - Apr. 15, 2026

Date of Service: Apr. 25, 2026

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BURLEY – Donald Rex Gerratt, a 90-year-old resident of Burley, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at his home.

He was born on April 9, 1936, in Heyburn, Idaho, to Donald Wayne and Ann Bailey Gerratt. From the beginning, Rex had a love for simple joys. He and his brother Larry played in irrigation ditches and fished with nothing more than a string and a bent nail.

At age 11, his family moved to the Unity area near Burley, Idaho, where his lifelong love of farming began to take root. Rex loved animals, especially dogs and ponies, and enjoyed riding his bike through the countryside. Early on, his father instilled in him the value of hard work, offering Rex and Larry the opportunity to farm potatoes and care for the family’s milk cows. With determination and grit, the boys earned enough to each purchase their own milk cow, eventually growing their herd to twelve Holstein cows by 1952. Even as a teenager, Rex was already building the foundation of what would become a lifelong passion and livelihood.

Rex graduated from Burley High School in 1954, where he served as Senior Class President, played football four years and ran the half-mile in track. After graduation, he worked at JCPenney and at a potato processing plant, gaining valuable life lessons that would serve him well. He also attended Utah State University for a short time.

On November 9, 1955, Rex married his sweetheart and neighbor, Marjorie Crane, in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work, raising nine children and teaching them the same values that guided Rex’s life.

Rex dedicated many years to serving in dairy organizations at the national, state, and regional levels, helping to promote and strengthen the dairy industry he loved so much. His leadership and influence took him across the United States. He served as the first Chairman of the Idaho Dairy Commission and helped organize the United Dairymen of Idaho. His contributions were recognized with induction into the Idaho Dairy Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Southern Idaho Livestock Hall of Fame in 1992. In 1993, he received the Area Service Award from the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce.

Though successful in business, Rex valued people above all. He often expressed deep gratitude for his brother Larry, his business partners, and the many individuals who supported and worked with him. Often he expressed gratitude for good bankers, attorneys and employees. He believed strongly in unity, respect, and shared responsibility. Their business was not just family-owned—it was family-run in the truest sense, built on trust and mutual care. Even through difficult times, Rex remained steady and grateful for the many blessings they experienced.

Rex had a special gift for building and creating. Whether building barns, corrals, or fences, he could envision the finished product from the very beginning. He took great pride in his work and found joy in improving the land he loved. His connection to the farm and his cows was deep and enduring.

His faith was a guiding force throughout his life. Rex was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings, including Ward Clerk, Bishop, Stake Clerk, Oakley Idaho Stake President, Regional Representative, and Mission President of the Manila Philippines Mission. He later served as an Area Seventy, a member of the Idaho Area Presidency, and in the Second Quorum of the Seventy. He also served in the Philippines Area Presidency four years as a counselor to Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Richard J. Maynes, and later as Area President.

Rex and Marjorie cherished the seven years spent in the Philippines, growing to love the missionaries they served with and the Filipino people. Their shared service strengthened their bond and created lasting memories.

Together, they also served as the first President and Matron of the Twin Falls Idaho Temple and continued as temple workers for twelve years. Their devotion to the temple and their faith was a cornerstone of their lives.

Rex and Marjorie enjoyed seeing the world and travelled from Antarctica to China to Australia. However, the Stanley Basin and the Sawtooth mountains held a special place in their hearts. There, Rex found peace in camping, fishing, and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

Above all, Rex loved his family. He was deeply grateful for his beloved wife, Marjorie, and treasured the life they built together. He took great pride in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and found joy in every moment spent with them.

Rex is survived by his children, Mary Ann (Dan Clayton), Alan (Kayla), Darlene (Glen Fish), Dale (Becky), Carolyn (Kevin Wood), Lynn (Shalawn), David (Bonnie), Steven (Michelle), and Donald (Julie); 45 grandchildren; 92 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Larry (Barbara) Gerratt, and their family.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Marjorie, in December 2024; his parents, Don and Ann Bailey Gerratt; two grandsons, Spencer Gerratt and John Clayton; and a great- granddaughter, Aliza Bingham also preceded him in death.

The family would like to thank the caregivers who have kindly served their father this past year.

Rex’s life was one of quiet strength, steady faith, and deep love—for his family, his work, and his Savior, Jesus Christ. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the family he raised, and the example he set.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – Unity Ward Building, located at 275 S. 250 E., Burley. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery, Burley.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Rasmussen- Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th Street, Burley, and from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. Saturday, preceding the funeral, at the church.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/hDNcXV3UYHY.

Condolences for Donald Rex Gerratt

Comments may be screened and removed by the staff as deemed appropriate.

From Ryan Beck:

I often still hear the rooster crow…I am still reminded President Gerratt and the Lord loves me and has confidence in me.

From Ross McAllister:

President Gerratt was not the mission president I was expecting when I first got to the mission. He wasn’t concerned about being overly polished or with impressing others. He was the mission president I needed. A man of unshakeable faith willing to put in the work and lead by example. He was a true work horse who was always prepared to help and lift others around him. I love him for loving me unconditionally and teaching me how to covenant with God. I love him and am eternally grateful for him.

From Terry and Judy McCurdy:

We express our love and condolences to the family of President Gerratt. We honor his service and love for those in the Philippines. We have been blessed to serve with he and his sweet wife in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple. His Christ-like leadership will remain with us forever.

From Brent Nielson :

We love Elder Gerratt. He has had a great influence on our lives. He will be sorely missed. We are grateful that he is reunited with the love of his life, Marjorie.

Brent and Marcia Nielson

From Christopher Fish:

President Gerratt- it's to hard to put into words how much you helped me change my life. I remember you telling us Missionaries to be a tough as nails. They always take a pounding but they stand there strong. You will be missed and loved.

From Linnea Lee Wheeler “Sister Lee”:

President and Sister Gerratt were such an amazing team!
They always encouraged us with love, motivated and inspired by their examples of dedication, charity, and “rock solid” Faith in the Lord Jesus !

At the beginning of my mission, President Gerratt taught the analogy of the quarter horse who is “only good for a quarter of the race” versus the stout Clydesdale, who yes is a little bit slower, but does indeed finish the race. He compared this to our mission, as well as our mortal life here on earth.
He taught us to endure well,

From Ursula Byington :

President Gerratt, definitely a gentle man; Marjorie, his wife, a special lady to be remembered! I thank them for the meeting we had in their home before one of our sons left for his mission to the Philippines. Then, working together at the Twin Falls Temple, visiting them in regards to music! Such a lovely and united couple, who fully served the Lord! May God bless and comfort the family as they remember the good times and that this couple has left a wonderful, lasting legacy!

From Jonathan Allen:

President Gerratt was a great example to me of hard work and service as a missionary in Manila. I saw him receive inspiration that helped me through hard times. He was a blessing to those around him. Thanks, President.

From Gemma Zabala -Agbayani:

You will always be a great part in my journey, President Gerratt. I am so grateful to have met you, worked with you and became my mission leader in my entire mission period. Knowing what the plan of salavation has for all of us, I know you have finished your mission on earth and you are now needed there on the other side of the veil. I am very truly honored and happy to have worked with you in the mission field. You have always been a big inspiration and a loving father in the mission, along with Sister Gerratt. I am so grateful for your leadership, wisdom, love and care. Until we meet again.

From May Delweste-Dayot:

The first hand shake with you feel I am love and cared for. Everytime you hear a rooster crow it means your Heavenly Father loves you" --President Gerratt. Till we meet again. Your little reminder after my mission is still inside my wallet and I continue to read it everyday it guided me till now. I am forever grateful to the Lord for knowing you and Sister Gerratt.

From Jed Winegar:

Eternally grateful for President and Sister Gerratt. Some of Heavenly Father’s very best!

From Elmer A. Espinosa:

President, thank you for the profound influence you’ve had in my life. The teachings you shared and the example you lived have shaped me in ways I will always carry with me. Because of you, I have grown in faith, strength, and purpose.
Though you are no longer here, your guidance continues to live on in my heart and in the choices I make each day. You will always be a part of who I am today. I am deeply grateful for your life and your legacy. You will never be forgotten.
-Philippines Manila Mission 1998-2000

From Maria Lucille Casaquite-Casingal:

President Gerratt I will never forget the blessing you gave me towards the end of my mission when things were beginning to eat away my focus from the work. During the interview you have sensed something was bothering me and afterwards I asked for a blessing. When you opened your mouth to bless me, what I heard was my own father's voice saying the words I needed to hear, it shook me and felt the love of my Heavenly Father for me. That He knows me and what I really needed at that time. I have forgotten the words in that blessing but the feelings it gave me stayed with me.

I also remember how you would ask if we still have money and "secretly" give my comp and I some cash and tell us not to tell the others. I bet you told everyone that too! Thank you, for making my mission a special memory and a great spiritual experience for me.

I love you and Sister Gerratt too. Until we meet again.

From Aaron Molen:

Pres. Gerratt had such a huge impact on me it's impossible to put into words. My heart breaks knowing he's moved on. However, I can hear his voice in my head now telling me to keep my chin up and to keep smiling.

From Jan Manning:

Pres. and Sister Gerratt truly have a place in my heart. I was a secretary to them when the Twin Falls Temple was dedicated. Kayla and family and Mary Ann and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

From Ana Abigan Nicdao:

"Everytime u hear a rooster crow it means ur heavenly Father loves you" --Pres. Gerratt.. This is the tagline of Pres. Gerratt that I will never forget for the rest of my life, every zone conferences he always reminded us how much heavenly Father loves us. U are gone for now, God be with you till we meet again my Father, my mission Pres.
Manila mission 1996-1998

From Formet Elder Montina:

Condolences to the Family and til we meet Again

From Jack Peck :

I want to express my sincere condolences to the family. As my wife Sherry and I followed Rex and Marjorie as mission leaders in the Manila mission, they left behind a legacy of great leadership which we were able to see in the elders and sisters they served. The short time that we spent with them during the transition of mission president and wife was a wonderful experience and demonstrated the love and strength of this great couple.

From Tonimerson Tagapan :

Our Condolence...he was my Mission President in Manila Mission currently living here in Calgary...at One point I desired of visiting him in the future on way to General conference in Salt Lake...He and Sister Marjorie will be remembered in my missionary life.

From Aaron Uy Kee:

My deepest condolences to Geratt family. I am grateful for his love and kindness as my mission Father in
Manila Philippines Mission.

From Christopher Taylor :

I have fond memories of my time with Rex as my mission president. He had a vigor and love for the gospel of Jesus Christ that he did his best to pass on to his missionaries and the people of the Philippines. My sincerest condolences to his family at this time. God bless an keep you.

From Dan Egbert :

President Gerratt was a true leader and disciple of Christ. I enjoyed being in his ward and having him as our Stake President.

From Marianne Asas Famindalan:

Your love will remain in our hearts,especially during the time when we will still missionaries .We love and miss you Pres.Gerratt."

From Polly Paugh:

President Gerratt, you will live forever in my heart. I am so blessed to have you as my mission president. You are great role model and example in my life. Whenever I hear a cock crows, I am reminded of your love.

From Leonora Miller:

My heart felt when I heard about you. But I know you are with Sis. Gerratt now. Thank you for everything you've done to us during our mission day. Rest in peace.

From Randy Pangilinan :

Condolence President Gerratt one of the best mission President in the Philippines Manila Mission. We love at miss you and Sister Gerratt as well.

From Ismael J. Guiyab:

my deepest condolences. he was my mission president in the manila mission from 1994 to 1996. he was a very kind and capable leader- caring, inspiring and a best example of service. thank you very much Pres. Gerrat, for all that you taught us and for the goodness you showed. until we meet again..

From Janet hales:

I was in the same ward as bro. Gerratt and he was a good influence upon me!

From Oscar Joseph Tino:

Dear Gerratt Family,

With a heavy heart, I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of President Donald Rex Gerratt. I feel truly blessed to have served under his leadership in the Manila Mission.

I will always remember the discipline and dedication he taught us. His counsel, kindness, and strong testimony of Jesus Christ truly shaped my life.

President Gerratt was more than a mission president to me—he was a spiritual father. I will always be grateful for his influence.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I find comfort in knowing that through Jesus Christ, families are eternal.

With love and sympathy,
Oscar Joseph Tino
Iriga Philippines Stake President

From Karen Mejia-Abat:

President and Sister Gerratt instilled in me the value of hard work and diligence as a young missionary in Philippines Manila Mission. I love to listen to his lessons which are full of analogies about farm life and missionary work. It was an honor to serve with them in the mission field. And I was lucky enough to have them witness my temple marriage.
President, I know your work continuous in the other side of the veil. Till we meet again at Jesus feet.

From Bruce and Guylia James:

We are so sorry for your loss! He has left an amazing legacy! He has been a great example for this community and will be greatly missed!

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