Kling: From Real Estate Visionary to Mr. Lucky Club Owner

Donald Kling (1932–2004)

Businessman, Realtor, and Club Owner

Born in South Dakota in 1932, Donald Kling served his country in the U.S. military before moving to Utah in 1956, where he quickly became a recognizable name in the growing west-side communities. A man of ambition and good humor, Kling built his reputation in both real estate and local entertainment.

In the early 1960s, he founded Westridge Realty Company, a dynamic firm that handled residential developments across the Salt Lake Valley. In 1963, his company was appointed as the exclusive sales agent for Panorama Homes, a new subdivision by builders King and Gillespie in western Kearns. Kling’s team marketed the “luxury living” homes—priced between $13,000 and $20,000—with modern built-ins, ranges, and refrigerators. His real estate efforts extended into the neighboring communities of Granger and Hunter, helping many young families settle in the west-side suburbs during Utah’s postwar housing boom.

Never one to confine himself to a single venture, he became the co-owner of the Dakota Club 1650 W 3500 so and soon Kling also became the owner of the Mr. Lucky Club, located at 3232 South Redwood Road. Opening in 1968, the club quickly became a local favorite for nightlife and social gatherings. It remained a memorable landmark for years, even after the building was eventually removed.

After a long and varied career, Donald Kling retired to West Jordan, where he spent his later years surrounded by his cattle—an image that reflected his grounded, hardworking nature and love of the outdoors. He passed away in 2004, leaving behind a legacy of enterprise and community connection that helped shape Utah’s west side during a period of rapid growth and change.