Desmond Lamonte Twitchell

Monty Twitchell
Cannonville, Utah

    Desmond Lamonte Twitchell, 64, of Cannonville, Utah passed away peacefully at home on November 29, 2022, after a valiant fight against cancer. 
Lamonte, Monty, or often known as Bro. was born on December 6, 1957, in Panguitch, Utah to Desmond and Gretha Twitchell.  He was welcomed to his hometown of Cannonville by his five older sisters and quickly became their beloved baby brother. 
    Monty was raised on a farm and dairy where he learned life lessons on hard work and always finishing the job at hand. He attended Bryce Valley High School and graduated in 1976; at school he met a cute blonde, who became the love of his life.  He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St Louis, Missouri where he gained a love for the people and the Cardinals.  Shortly after returning from his mission, he was married for time and all eternity to Rita Marie Kleese, his high school sweetheart in the St. George Utah Temple on June 29, 1979.   
    Monty and Rita had short stays in Cedar City then Logan where he graduated in Agricultural Science from Utah State University. Together they returned home to create their life in Cannonville.  Later he received a Masters of Education from Southern Utah University.   
    Monty and Rita were blessed with five loving children and 15 grandchildren — so far. 
    Monty had three great passions outside of his family: farming/ranching, fishing, and teaching the gospel as a seminary teacher.  Monty taught Seminary and Institute for the Church from Tropic to Escalante, UT.  He cared deeply for each student whether they were in the classroom or not, where he taught gospel principals and the love of the Savior Jesus Christ.  He retired after 35 years of teaching and making dad jokes famous.
    Farming and ranching came natural to him, where he had a passion for raising cattle, hay, and teaching his children the value of hard work.  He shared his love of farming and ranching with his father and his children.  He often remarked the core value of his farm was for raising hard working, responsible children.  He was blessed with a green thumb and took pride in raising a large garden and premium hay. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and being outdoors. He got the first bite, caught the biggest fish, and was the last to leave.  
    He loved the Savior and the opportunities to serve. Throughout his life he served in many capacities — bishop, a counselor in the stake presidency, and his lifelong calling as a Gospel Doctrine teacher.  
    He leaves behind his best friend and wife of 43 years Rita; children  (grandchildren): Britten Twitchell (Mallory, Hannah, Aidan), Cole and Janice Twitchell (Cambri, Kagen, Kinzee, Titan), Kamdon and Eliza Twitchell (Kesler, Haisley, and Tace), Jory and Milli Twitchell (Texie, Jovi, Tate, Savvy), and Deysha and Justen McDonald (Skye); sisters: Cheryl (Lonnie) Pollock, Ethel (Marty) Rich; brother-in-law, Evan Chynoweth.
    Monty was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and three of his older sisters: Mary Lou (Darreld) Nelson, Christine (Ron) Adair and Judy Chynoweth.
    Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 5, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in the Cannonville Ward Chapel, where friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial will be in the Cannonville Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com

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