Kevin Donahue

Kevin Shawn Donahue, was born into the big, beautiful Donahue family April 29, 1961, in Orange, CA, and after a life full of passion, love, and dedication, left us on December 16, 2023. Kevin lived his life as a blazing torch, illuminating the lives of those who loved him and those who were fortunate enough to cross his path. He never met a stranger, he loved his friend’s and family deeply and intentionally made efforts to keep in touch with those he cared about.

Kevin grew up with his parents, four brothers and three sisters in Garden Grove, CA. It was a little white home full of busy lives, love, friends and hard work. It shaped him into the man he became and he had the “Donahue Work Ethic.” During his junior year in high school his parents retired to Payson, UT. He immediately became enamored with the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.
Kevin had a successful football career and graduated from Payson High School. He signed with BYU as kicker but his football dreams ended with a knee injury.
He married Lisa Grace and had three beautiful children that he adored.
This marriage ended and Kevin took a break from the steel industry to work with UPS. While there he met and married the love of his life, Rebecca Orgill in September, 1994. Together they built a life full of shared dreams, laughter, hard work and four more amazing children. He was a hardworking and devoted businessman who owned Donahue’s Welding. For 27 years, Kevin showcased his skills and creativity leaving his mark on the world through his meticulous work. He was a man of steel, both in his work and character. His strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to his work and family were some of his defining qualities.
Kevin committed countless hours to charity work. He was deeply involved in NWTF, Duck’s Unlimited and SFW. He found his passion project when he became involved in the Kid’s Fishing Day. If you ever chatted with Kevin he invited you to be involved on the second Tuesday in May to Salem Pond, where he and a team of people invited over a thousand special needs children to enjoy lunch and catch a fish.
Every year along with Don Willis, Tom Mower and Mike and Kevin Pritchett they would invite a few special kids to be involved in an awesome year, where they and their families would be invited on a turkey hunt and a day fishing at Strawberry reservoir. These adventures were captured on KSL’s Outdoors with Adam Eakle. He arranged for many kids to have track wheelchairs so they could access the outdoors.
You’ve never met a harder worker with a soft spot for children, he was kind but not weak, confidant but not arrogant, honest, talented, artistic and generous with his time and talent. He was a story teller that genuinely loved to share his adventures. He was a man among men, the strongest man you’ll ever meet. #donahuestrong
He battled cancer and defied doctors, he fought back time and time again. He made dear friends with his team and we are extremely grateful for them. Dr. Craig Cook and Jory Sorensen, Dr. Nathan Rich and his nurses. Dr Brandon Barney and Dr Larry Nobuhara. We cannot say enough about the care and love we received from the Utah Valley Hospital, the ICU but especially the eighth floor staff.

Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Patricia Donahue and his beloved son Dustin. We all wish we could have witnessed their loving reunion.
He is survived by his soulmate and wife, Rebecca Donahue, the lights of his life his six children and their significant others. Danielle (Branden), Heather (Haein), Alex (Amber and his first grandchild on the way), Emily, Ashley, Brock and our dog DD.
He’ll forever be the little brother to his siblings Christine Beckstrom, Patrick (Raquel), Michael (Beverly), Timothy (Charlie), Brian (Alyce) Debbie Morrison (Norm), Kelley Hurst (Mike).
His in-laws Glenn and Lois Orgill, Darin (Angie) Clark, David (Lori) Orgill, Bryan (Shaurelle) Orgill, Brad (Nicole) Orgill, Dustin (Rachel Ann) Orgill, Rachel (Brady) Haider. He has many nieces and nephews that he adored!

Viewing Thursday December 21, 2023 6:00pm-8:00pm
Viewing Friday December 22, 2023
9:30am-10:30am
Funeral to follow at 11:00am
All services will be held at the
Hobble Creek Stake Center
495 S. Canyon Road
Springville, UT
In lieu of flowers please donate to Kevin’s charity for children with special needs. Venmo @Rebecca-Donahue-4
We invite you to share your memories and photos of Kevin on his memorial page, celebrating his life and the light he brought to ours.