DAVID LEE WASHBURN
July 21, 1946 – March 22, 2021
David Lee Washburn wanted to be known as the “Boy Who Liked to go to Church”. As a child, that had a lot to do with hot fudge, but as an adult it had everything to do with his Savior, Jesus Christ.
David was born on July 21, 1946 in San Diego, California to Elizabeth Rumph Washburn. At the time of his birth his mother was a widow. Nine months earlier, his father, David Lon Washburn, was drowned in the San Francisco Bay, the result of a Navy accident. Ironically, David Lon had survived the attack at Pearl Harbor, several attacks in the South Pacific, and made it to the end of the war unscathed.
Perhaps due to the fact that his father died before David’s birth and his father’s involvement in World War II, David had a keen interest in researching and learning about the war, and a love of history in general. David loved stories -- stories about Revolutionary America, the early Mormon Pioneers, the many battles fought during WWII -- David loved it all. He majored in history, wrote his Master’s Thesis on the early Mormon Pioneers, enjoyed history books above all others, and was thrilled to point out the historical inaccuracies in modern movies. There was never a better AP History tutor! Thanks Dad for the historical insights and tidbits over the years. We cannot read a history book (especially WWII) without thinking of you.
When David was three years old, his mother married David Gerald Crockett. Jerry (or Pop, as his boys called him) cared for and loved David as his own. Soon, David and his older brother, Lon, had three younger brothers. David had a fun and interesting childhood growing up in a household of five rowdy boys. His mother never outgrew her childhood on a Montana homestead and did her best to keep a couple cows, chickens, and cats no matter where in the San Diego hills they called home. This is how David grew up milking cows each morning (shout-out to Sabrina, the best cow a boy could own) and having “milk fights” with his brothers … which led to watering down the milk so the buckets were full enough that they didn’t get in trouble.
As a child, David loved collecting comic books. His favorites were always Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge. In our house, forget the mouse, the Duck is always king! Anyone who knows David, knows of his love for Donald Duck. He had comic books, figurines, portraits, pillows, and T-shirts all honoring the original “Angry Bird”. His children and grandchildren cannot see an image of Donald without thinking of him. For us, Donald will always be synonymous with our cheerful, goofy, father.
Near the age of six or seven, David’s father decided it was time the family started attending church. To make the experience even sweeter, Pop would often take the boys out for ice cream after Sacrament meeting. Soon, David’s anticipation of hot fudge and creamy vanilla on Sundays, led to a love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. David clearly remembered his baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in September 1954. From that day forward David served faithfully, doing all that was asked of him and doing it with a big smile and cheerful heart. He served as Ward Clerk, Bishopric Counselor, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, and Temple Worker -- although Gospel Doctrine was by far his favorite. He loved the scriptures and loved studying them with his family (... at 6:00 … in the morning … in the MORNING! Not a teenager’s favorite family together time!) He made sure to have family prayer every night, all of us kneeling in the living room then lining up for hugs and kisses before bed. Monday evenings were always Family Home Evening nights and included any friends or stray relatives that happened by during that time. Not only did we have short gospel lessons, but we spent many a Monday evening out having fun together. David loved the gospel as much as he loved his family and for him they went hand-in-hand. His love and testimony of the gospel carried him through his 74 years and will continue to strengthen his family as he moves on to the next step in his eternal journey.
Along with a burning testimony of Jesus Christ, church also led David to his beautiful wife, Patricia Roberts. It all started when Patty was 15. Even though her dad was the bishop, David convinced her to sit next to him on the back row of the chapel where they could hold hands during the meeting. Before he knew it, his mother was dialing Patty’s number and handing him the phone so he could officially ask her to Prom … because, despite his assertions that, “She knows I’m going to take her” -- a girl still wants to be asked. Soon after graduating from El Capitan High School in Lakeside, California, David accepted a call to serve in the Western States Mission. During the two years he served in Colorado and Texas, Patty’s picture sat at his bedside. When he returned to San Diego in September 1967, she eagerly drove him to the Stake President’s office so he could be officially released as a missionary and they could go on a long awaited date! Six months later, they were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple, beginning 53 years of love and laughter.
In 1972, recently graduated from San Diego State College and with a brand new daughter to support, David decided to move his young family to Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah soon became home and the birthplace of his next five children. During his life in Salt Lake City, he worked for the University of Utah (where, as he likes to tell it, – he pretended to work and they pretended to pay him), at the LDS Church Office building (Historical Department – of course), and eventually was blessed with a job at Code 3/3M where he worked until his retirement in 2005. His job at 3M allowed him to travel all over the country installing medical coding software in hospitals. Through his travels he was able to visit many historically significant sights and indulge his love of history.
In 1999, David accepted a job transfer to Louisville, Kentucky. David loved Kentucky. It was green and beautiful and they had a lovely new, red brick colonial home. Since most of his children were grown and living on their own by then, his youngest son, Stephen, was the only one who moved with them to Kentucky. Stephen enjoyed the life of an only child for most of his teenage years and David enjoyed getting to know his youngest son on a more individual level. During the six years they lived in Kentucky, the last of his five older children were married, and several grandchildren were born. Attending baby blessings and visiting his kids meant his days of traveling were not over. The miles between Kentucky and Utah became all too familiar as he drove those roads more than once.
In 2005, David was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and he decided to take an early retirement. With all his kids living out West, it only made sense to move back to Utah. They found a lovely home in Riverton which is close to most of his children. The past sixteen years were challenging as David learned to live with the limitations of Parkinson’s. However, they were also filled with the arrival of more grandchildren, many baby blessings, baptisms, and fun family gatherings. David loved nothing more than a backyard BBQ with meat sizzling on the grill, kids running around the yard, adult children talking smack with each other, and the promise of a sweet treat before the night was through. Life was never so good as when his family was all together.
In the spring of 2018, shortly after celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary, David suffered a stroke, leaving his left side weak and his mobility limited. Although unable to do much of what he once could, David’s good humor never left him. He kept the nurses and doctors laughing during his many weeks in the hospital, and continued to brighten the spirits of all who entered his home to care for him in the years that followed. More often than not, he had a smile on his face and a witty comment to share. He was a patient, cheerful, funny man who endured his final trials with grace and humor.
Early on Monday, March 22, 2021, David returned to his Heavenly Home while surrounded by his loving family. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. His legacy of humor, faith, and love lives on in his children and grandchildren. We are better people for having known and loved this sweet man.
He is survived by his wife – Pat Washburn; his six children – Rachel (Christian) Kasteler, Murray, UT; Shule (Lori) Washburn, Gresham, OR; D. Loren (Debbie) Washburn, Bountiful, UT; Esther (Ben) West, American Fork, UT; Miriam (Steve) Kettle, Millcreek, UT; Stephen (Christine) Washburn, Syracuse, UT; twenty eight grandchildren; and his brothers - Gary Crockett, Douglas Crockett, and Russell Crockett.
He is preceded in death by his parents – David Lon Washburn, Elizabeth Washburn Crockett, David Gerald Crockett; and his older brother, Lon Allan Washburn.
His family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, and aides who have lovingly cared for David during the past few years. We cannot express enough our gratitude for your patience and kindness. We would also like to express love and gratitude to his neighbors and ward members. Thank you especially to Mark, Bruce, and Ken for being faithful and tireless when help was needed. We appreciate all who have taken time to lift and carry Dad, both physically and emotionally, when we were unable to do so. Your strength and love have made all the difference.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Broomhead Funeral Home (12600 S 2200 W, Riverton, UT) from 6:00-8:00pm. The Funeral will be Friday, April 2, 2021 at the Riverton 12th Ward (12459 S Dansie Way, Riverton, UT) and broadcast via Zoom. Please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. David will be buried at Mountain View Memorial Park in Cottonwood Heights, UT.
In lieu of flowers, find a Donald Duck video and think of David while you watch it with someone you love.
