Don Beesley was born October 2, 1937, in Ogden, Utah. He graduated from Weber High School in 1955 and from Weber Junior College with an associate degree in 1957. He served an LDS mission to the Southern States Mission from 1957 to 1959 and later joined the Army Reserve and served active duty from March to September 1960. He met Annette Childs and they married on September 1, 1961, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah, a Master’s degree from BYU, and his Doctorate in education from the University of Southern California.
Don taught for the Church Education System for 38 years, most of that time at the Ogden LDS Institute. He had the opportunity to teach at the BYU Jerusalem Center three times, as well as teaching in Calgary, Canada for three years. He has directed at least 28 tours to the Holy Land. Don and his wife, Annette, have served as ordinance workers in the Ogden Temple since 1999. They served together on three missions. He serves as a sealer in the Ogden Temple. He and Annette are the parents of seven children.