David Oliver

David John Oliver, 83, of Cedar City, peacefully passed on from this mortal life on Monday, September 27, 2021. A graveside service celebrating David’s admirable and honorable life will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at the Ogden City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.

David was born on August 16, 1938 in Salt Lake City, Utah, one of three sons (Richard and Douglas) born to loving parents Mary Jane (Jones) and John Oliver. He emerged as a leader amongst his peers, serving as president for the graduating class of 1956 and seminary vice president while attending South High School in Salt Lake City. He then devotedly served a mission to the Southern States Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (primarily serving in Georgia and Florida) from 1958-1960. He role modeled to his future posterity the importance of keeping commitments (even when facing significant adversity) by faithfully completing his assignment following the premature passing of his beloved mother Mary Jane in November 1959. Upon his return from missionary service, David was married and sealed for time and all eternity to his high school sweetheart Carol Ann Kendall on August 17, 1961 in the historic Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They both subsequently graduated from the University of Utah before lovingly and patiently parenting six
children. David served in a variety of leadership positions as a corporate executive during residencies in California, Washington, Tennessee, Indiana, New Jersey, and Arkansas while also earning a master’s degree in business administration while working in San Francisco. Those assignments provided opportunities to cultivate life-long friendships in each location, and more importantly, service opportunities including branch president in Sparta, New Jersey, and multiple terms of service on High Councils in the stakes of Zion. Following retirement from his professional career in 2000, David and his beloved Carol were able to utilize their skills, talents, and life experiences to bless the lives of others as
international educators in Jinan, China through the BYU China Teachers Program. They also served as senior missionaries in the West Indies Mission, where David served as first counselor in the branch presidency. Additionally, David and Carol served as senior missionaries at the St. George Utah Visitor Center and Historical Sites. David, well read in the doctrine of Jesus Christ, encouraged gospel learning while serving as a Gospel Doctrine teacher during both his professional career. He also served in a student ward bishopric and as LDS Institute instructor at Southern Utah University.

David was appreciative of God’s natural beauties. He enjoyed fishing in the Uintah Mountains (Granddaddy Lake Basin in particular) with his brother Richard and father John, as well as hiking in the Wasatch Mountain Range with his high school and college friends. He shared this love and enthusiasm of nature with his family by hosting memorable fishing excursions during his adulthood. David also gravitated to the sport of golf during his youth (inspired by Arnold Palmer), ultimately becoming a ‘scratch’ golfer. He also shared many rounds, and more importantly, meaningful conversation with some of his children. David was a talented tenor, contributing to vocal ensembles at South High
School with some of his best buddies like Richard Geertsen, David Parker, and Ande Anderson. He was also a member of the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir and the 1957 Sigma Chi Quartet. David continued to share his vocal talents throughout life, singing as a soloist (or with his family) during church services and civic events. Indeed, he loved music of diverse genres, including quartets of the 1950s such as the Hi-Lo’s and the Four Lads, performers such as Neil Diamond and John Denver, and classical music.

With his joyful service on earth as son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend now complete, David is survived by his loving and loyal eternal companion of 60 years, Carol Ann, brother Richard and sisters Suzanne, Sharon, and Stacey. He was preceded in death by his father John and his mother Mary Jane (Jones). His legacy lives on through his posterity, which includes his six children: Mark David Oliver and spouse Robert (Quon) of San Francisco, California; Douglas Kendall
Oliver and spouse Theresa (Pina) of Camas, Washington; Lisa Patria Oliver Pusey and spouse Loren of Lehi, Utah; Spencer Christian Oliver and spouse Aimee (Moline) of Snohomish, Washington; Jon Anthony Oliver and spouse Lynne (Shepherd) of Charleston, Illinois; and Jensina Victoria Oliver Christian and spouse Nathan of Shoreline, Washington; his twenty grandchildren (Patria, Sarah, Jeremie, Hannah, Emma, Katie, Emily, Kendall, Jackson, Clara, Erin, Brooklynne, Freddy, Joey, Katelyn, Bridget, Ian, Aftyn, Jacob and Mathis) and nine great-grandchildren (Selma, Henry, Phoebe, Ray, Jack, Rose, Esther, Alina and Chloe). His eternal posterity rejoices in the fact that David has been relieved from his physical challenges of the past five years and has been provided the opportunity
to reunite with his loving parents Mary Jane and John, his brother Douglas, and his extended family until we are able to be together with him again. Online Condolences can be sent to www.sumortuary.com