David Michael Ockey

David Michael Ockey peacefully passed on to the next life on May 3, 2021.

Dave was born August 28, 1950 in Racine, Wisconsin to Floyd Ockey and Ruth Dunk Ockey.  He was greeted by his older sister, Susan (Steve) Mueller. Later, four more sisters joined the family, Kathleen (Greg) Reilly, Carol Ockey-Katt, Janice (Wayne) Obernberger and Margaret (Robert) Bugalski.

He met the love of his life, Kathy Daniels Ockey, when he was 15 and she was 12. They started dating when he was 20 and they have been together for over 50 years and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this coming August. Together, they had four beloved children: Jean, Catherine, David (Mindy), and Kris.  Dave was blessed with eight wonderful grandchildren who were the light of his life: Jordan Ockey, Alex Ockey, Garrett Ockey, Jace Hermann, Spencer Ockey, Abby Ockey, Jenna Ockey and Kelsi Ockey. He was preceded in death by his parents, an older brother John who died at birth, and two sisters, Kathleen and Carol.

Dave was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and tried always to follow in his Savior’s footsteps.  His life was one of service to others.  Nowhere was that more evident than in his career.  He served in the U.S. Army for almost seven years first as an M.P. and then as a special agent with C.I.D.  He retired from Adult Probation and Parole and then went on to become a substance abuse counselor where he made a difference in the lives of countless people.  But no job was more important to him than his family.

Of all of Dave’s many talents, including his compassion, kindness and generosity, his sense of humor was perhaps his best.  He had several sayings he was famous for and these included “that will be your last official act as a living breathing human being”; “Proper prior planning prevents poor performance”;  “You are free to choose but you are not free from the consequences of those choices”, “Better enjoy this challenge because you might not like the next one near as much”; “Who told you life would be fair”; and “No one can make you angry, you choose to get angry.”

Services will be held on Friday, May 7 at 11:00 a.m. at the Golden Meadows 3rd Ward, located at 2361 West 13400 South, Riverton, Utah.  A viewing will be held from 10:00 to 10:40 a.m. prior to services. Interment will follow at the Ft. Williams Military Cemetery.