David Parry

David Robert Parry

1936-2025

David Robert Parry passed quietly from this world on June 7, 2025. He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father and a grandfather.

David was born on February 27, 1936 in Sugarhouse, where he was raised. He graduated from East High School. He received a degree in History from the University of Utah and served for four years in the army, in Hawaii. He lived in Salt Lake City, where he met his wife Miriam, before moving to Riverton, where they raised their children. He worked at the Kennecott Mine and then as a machinist at Hill Air Force Base.

David was an avid outdoorsman and lover of the natural world. He owned a canoe and kayak, loved skiing, and biked for hours on Sunday afternoons. He also loved hiking. He spent his life exploring trails in the Wasatch and Uintas, as well as the West desert and in Southern Utah. When hiking, his love of the outdoors cut through his normally taciturn nature – he knew every trail like the back of his hand, and was more than happy to show visitors from out of state the flora, fauna and geology of the canyons and deserts he knew so well. He could go for hours, the destination always "just around the bend," (no matter how far it was!)

David's love of the outdoors extended to his own home, where he grew a large garden, and cultivated fruit trees. He was never without animal companions. He loved dogs, and always had a dog at his heels as he worked outside. He kept chickens for a while, and a flock of sheep, and, later a pair of pack goats that he would take up into the mountains with him.

David received his degree in history, and remained a student of it his entire life. His main interests included both the human and natural histories of the west, although he also loved to read about world history and other cultures. He was also a dedicated follower of the news, particularly through PBS and the NPR. Visitors and family members in his house were very familiar with the opening tones of NPR's All Things Considered, and the six p.m. start time of "PBS News Hour"

He was preceded in death by his parents, David Robert Parry and Priscilla Lawson Parry, and his sisters, Jean Parry and Suzanne Parry. He is survived by his daughters, Wynne, Emily and Bobbi, and their husbands and his four grandchildren, Eli and Etta Epperson and Ada and Arlo Murry.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the South Jordan Fire Department or the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club.

A family - only graveside service will be held on July 1st. -