Donald Phillips Emmett

April 10, 1943 - September 18, 2026

In Loving Memory of Donald Phillips Emmett

Donald Phillips Emmett, lovingly known as Don, passed away peacefully at home in Casa Grande, Arizona, on September 18, 2026, at the age of 83. Born on April 10, 1943, Don lived a full and meaningful life centered around his family, faith, service, hard work, and a love of adventure.

Don was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He shared 60 years of marriage with the love of his life, Sherry Hantz Emmett, whom he married in 1965. Together, they built a life filled with family, memories, challenges, accomplishments, laughter, and love.

Don proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as an engine mechanic. His mechanical ability and natural talent for understanding how things worked continued throughout his life. He earned numerous technical degrees and certificates and worked as an Electronic Technician at Ampex at the beginning of his career. His career took him through many different fields, including owning and operating Emmett Machine and Welding and Cranes, serving as a Coal Plant Manager and Bentonite Plant Manager, and working as a Maintenance Superintendent for the Miami, Arizona, school district. Before retiring, Don served as a Project Manager for an architectural firm responsible for building schools throughout Arizona.

Don was a man who knew how to work with his hands, solve problems, and get things done. His technical knowledge, determination, and strong work ethic were evident throughout his career and in the many projects and endeavors he took on during his life.

His faith was also an important part of who he was. Don was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served faithfully as a High Priest for many years. His faith and service were meaningful parts of his life and the legacy he leaves to his family.

One of Don’s greatest passions was motorcycles. He loved the freedom, adventure, and fellowship that came with riding. Over the years, he enjoyed many memorable Harley trips, sharing the open road with Sherry, his grandson, (Xaren Kinnard who bought an Indian motorcycle~ just to go with his grandpa), and friends. Some of his happiest memories were made on those journeys—the miles traveled, places discovered, stories shared, and laughter along the way.

His daughter, Cindy Jo, also inherited Don’s love of motorcycles. From a young age, he taught her to ride, and because of him, she developed a  love of riding dirt bikes. The memories they shared on two wheels became a special part of their bond and a lasting reminder of the love and adventures they shared together.

In the later years of his life, Don continued that passion by riding a Spyder with Sherry, his grandson, and friends. For Don, riding was about much more than the motorcycle. It was about the freedom of the open road, the beauty of the journey, and, most importantly, the people beside him. Those rides created treasured memories that will remain in the hearts of all who had the privilege of sharing the road with him.

Above all, Don was a family man. He loved being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sherry Hantz Emmett; his daughters, Dr. Dawn Emmett Bishop, Clinical Psychologist, and Cindy Jo Emmett, Nurse Practitioner; his siblings, Sandra (Emmett) Darlene and Robert Emmett; and his grandchildren, Heilish Gordon Avery, Xan Kinnard, Hattileigh Gordon, Xaren Kinnard, Xyden Kinnard, Jackson (Ayane) Emmett, and Carter Emmett, along with seven great-grandchildren; and his son-in-law, Sherman Lee Bishop III, that he loved like a son.

Don was preceded in death by his beloved son, Casa Grande Fire Captain Phillip Nathan Emmett; his parents, G. Swan Emmett and Hellen Phillips Emmett; his brother, Wallace Emmett; and his sister, Helen G. Mollenbrink.

Don’s family will remember him in countless ways—in the stories shared around the table, in the lessons he taught, in the work he accomplished, in his love of motorcycles and the open road, and in the memories made with the people he loved.

His life was a journey filled with family, faith, service, work, adventure, and love. Although his earthly journey has come to an end, the road he traveled continues through the generations he leaves behind. His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends will carry his memory forward and keep the stories of his life alive.

May Don’s final ride be peaceful, the road ahead be beautiful, and may he know that he was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held privately for family and friends. Details will be announced at a later date.