Bonnie Lee Park

Bonnie Lee Park

Bonnie Lee Park, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, friend, and devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, passed away peacefully in Mapleton, Utah, on September 4, 2026, at the age of 85, following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Darrell J. Park; her son, James Darrell “J.D.” Park; and her grandson, Michael Park. She is survived by her son, Michael (Lori) Park; her daughters, Terry (Lee) Daniels and Laura (Scott) Lindsay; and daughter-in-law Alison (J.D.) Park. She was the proud grandmother of 19 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.

Bonnie was born January 1, 1941, in San Diego, California, to Alva Chester Rogers and Annie Pierce Rogers. She was the youngest of six children and a much-loved baby. Her early childhood was spent on a church ranch in Perris, California, where her father cared for cattle. Church meetings were held in a barn, with Sunday School classes meeting in the horse stalls. It was there that Bonnie developed her lifelong love of animals. She especially loved her horse, Rex, whom she rode whenever she could.

Bonnie graduated from Hemet Union High School in 1958 and from Brigham Young University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. As a young woman, Bonnie dreamed of becoming a veterinarian because of her love for animals. However, her greatest desire was to become a wife and mother. She chose a career in education because she believed teaching would allow her to have a family while also making a difference in the lives of children.

After teaching in California for two years, Bonnie accepted a call to serve as a missionary in the Spanish-American Mission, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. She often described that mission as one of the greatest blessings of her life. Her love for the Spanish language and the people she served remained with her throughout her life, and she continued to speak Spanish fluently more than 60 years after her mission.

Bonnie's own family story began with what she later regarded as an example of divine guidance. In 1969, her cousin Leah Ogazwalla wrote to her about a dream in which she felt Bonnie should meet one of two men in her Centerville, Utah, ward. One of those men was Darrell J. Park, a recent widower with three young children: Mike (12),Terry (11) and Laura (7).Bonnie was not initially interested in the idea. In fact, she thought her cousin had lost her mind. But circumstances eventually brought Bonnie to Centerville, where she met Darrell on a blind date to see The Promised Valley. What began as a reluctant introduction became an extraordinary courtship. Bonnie and Darrell lived hundreds of miles apart and exchanged more than 100 letters over the next several months. Bonnie treasured those letters throughout her life.

Bonnie and Darrell were married and sealed in the Los Angeles California Temple on January 2, 1970. Together they built a family centered on faith, love, service, and devotion to one another and to their children. In 1973, they welcomed another son, James Darrell “J.D.” Park, completing their family.

Bonnie returned to Hemet, California, where she resumed her teaching career. Over 27 years as an educator, she taught mathematics, physical education, home economics, and health. She became particularly well known for her health classes and her sincere concern for the young people she taught. She believed that education should help students make wise, responsible decisions and prepare them for successful lives.

Bonnie also devoted herself to public education and community service. She was first elected to the Hemet Unified School District Governing Board in 1990 and served two four-year terms, including a term as president of the board. She made history as the first person in the district to serve concurrently as a full-time teacher and a member of the governing board. Even while serving in educational leadership, she remained committed to her students and returned to the classroom after completing her service on the board.

Her work in health education brought her into the national spotlight, and she was featured on television programs including ABC, CBS, and Larry King Live. Bonnie became known for her strong belief that young people should be taught about the importance of abstinence and responsible choices while also receiving honest, factual health education. Throughout these experiences, her motivation remained the same: to protect, teach, and help young people.

Being a mother was one of Bonnie's greatest joys. She poured her heart into her children and later into her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved family gatherings, traditions, stories, and the opportunity to be involved in the lives of her family. Her greatest desire as a young woman had been to have a family, and she considered that blessing one of the great purposes of her life.

Bonnie's devotion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was woven throughout her life. In addition to her missionary service in Texas, she served an 18-month Church Educational System mission in Bilbao, Spain, beginning in 2002. She also devoted approximately 30 years to temple service, serving in the San Diego, Mesa, Tucson, and Orlando Temples. Her faith was not simply something she believed—it was something she lived each day.

Bonnie learned the importance of service from her parents. She remembered accompanying her mother on Relief Society visits and watching her father willingly help anyone who needed him. Those examples shaped the way Bonnie lived her own life. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel loved, valued, and important. She made friends easily and developed friendships with hundreds of people. Yet when Bonnie was talking with you, she had a special way of making you feel as though you were the most important person in the room.

Bonnie also loved traditions, especially those that brought her family together. For more than 70 years, she made her mother's famous toffee recipe, chocolate-covered cherries, and hand-dipped chocolates each Christmas. It was not unusual for Bonnie and Darrell to make more than 200 pounds of candy during the Christmas season. After Darrell's passing, Laura and Terry continued the tradition with their mother, creating treasured memories that will be carried forward by their children and grandchildren.

Bonnie's legacy cannot be measured simply by her accomplishments as a teacher, school board member, missionary, or temple worker. Her greatest legacy is found in the people she loved, taught, served, encouraged, and welcomed into her life.

She believed that some of life's most important lessons were simple: go to church, live the gospel, treat people with kindness, and serve others. She tried to live those principles every day.

In a letter to her granddaughter Crystal, Bonnie wrote, “I am looking forward to meeting your Grandma Joy. My prayer is that she will be pleased with the kind of mother and grandmother I have been to her children and grandchildren.”

Those words capture the heart of Bonnie's life. She wanted to be a good mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She wanted to serve the Lord. She wanted to help others. And she wanted the people around her to know that they were loved.

Bonnie leaves behind a remarkable family, generations of cherished memories, countless friendships, and an enduring example of faith, service, kindness, and love. She will be deeply missed, but her influence will continue through the many lives she touched.

Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Rita Ranch Chapel, located at 10220 E. Rees Loop, Tucson, Arizona. A viewing will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Binghampton Cemetery in Tucson.

The family expresses its heartfelt gratitude to all those who loved, served, cared for, and supported Bonnie throughout her life.