David Earl Morse

1942 - 2019

David Earl Morse
December 8, 1942 - November 16, 2019
David Earl Morse (76) was born December 8, 1942, in Boise, Idaho. He passed away November 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah.
He was the fourth and youngest child of Clarence Earl Morse and Ethel Lillian Ingram Morse. His father passed away on July 15, 1957, at the age of 50 when David was only 14 years old. The death of his father created a deep and loving connection between him and his mother. She passed away on Oct 19, 1981, at the age of 70.
David was very athletic in his youth despite being one of the smaller kids in his class. He participated in track and field events and was the second runner up in the Boise City Track meet. He was also on the swimming team and diving team and received many first and second place awards. He enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with his friends fishing in the Boise river, or hunting ducks and pheasants.
In 1960, David moved to Pocatello, Idaho, and enlisted in the US Navy Reserve while a senior in high school. He graduated from Pocatello High School in 1961 and spent his summer as a firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service in the Payette National Forest. His firefighting experience was intense and he found the work interesting. He worked several fires over the summer, one of which lasted for close to three weeks.
In the fall of 1961, David went on active duty with the US Navy and was stationed at Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco. He was stationed aboard the USS Frontier AD-25 which was a repair ship, and was assigned to the electronics shop where they repaired radio and radar equipment. His aptitude for the work lead to opportunities and allowed him to attend the Electronics Technician Class "A" school. He also spent about eight months stationed at Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He enjoyed traveling, but not the "eat, drink, and be merry" atmosphere. He was released from active duty one month early to attend Idaho State University in the fall of 1963, having spent 14 days at sea during his two years of active duty.
David attended the ISU Electronics Technology school between 1963 and 1966, where he met several members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were great guys. The things they talked about stirred an interest in him to know more about their church. After graduation, David moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, and worked with the U.S. Public Health Service and repaired radiological instruments like Geiger counters, scintillators, and pulse height analyzers. In his spare time, he went to the LDS Institute on the campus of the University of Las Vegas and studied the Book of Mormon. He eventually looked up the phone number to the LDS Stake Center and called to see if they could send someone over to talk to him about the church. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 24, 1967.
At the prompting of his boss, David returned to school to further his education and improve his opportunities. He attended Weber State College between 1968 and 1970 where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology. Following graduation, he began working for Utah State University in Logan, Utah, with the Space-Dynamics Laboratory (SDL). While working for SDL, he continued his education at Utah State between 1971 and 1974 where he received a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering.
Throughout his career at SDL, David advanced through various positions, eventually retiring as Senior Research Engineer, Systems Division, Space. His work for SDL was spent on electronics systems for satellites and instruments that were launched into space. His career was personally rewarding and more of a hobby than an actual job.
In 1971, David met Shirley Golightly, the love of his life. He said of her, "she was a swell girl right from the start." They were sealed for time and all eternity on December 16, 1971, in the Logan, Utah Temple. David had a great love for his wife Shirley, developing a sweet habit of always giving her a treasured kiss goodbye anytime he would leave the house.
David and his sweet companion would go on to raise four boys and one girl. David loved family trips and spending time with each member of the family. Some of his favorite trips were to Florida, Bear Lake, and the countless trips to Yellowstone. David and Shirley fulfilled a lifelong dream to visit Jerusalem and Egypt as one of their many trips together in their golden years. He always had a love for his forebears and gained a love for genealogy spending many hours working on family lines and history. He served in many callings within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he was a devout member.
David is survived by his best friend and eternal wife Shirley; and his children Earl (Juliette) and their children Layla, Maha, and Qasim, of Lakeland, Florida; James (Missy) and their children Jaxon, Makenzie, and Zander, of Murray, Utah; Candice and her daughter Auzja of Logan, Utah; and Christopher of Logan, Utah. He is also survived by his sister Ethel Dee Pennel of Meridian, Idaho.
David was preceded in death by his son, Douglas Golightly Morse; parents Clarence and Ethel Morse; and his sisters, Dixie Lee Watson and Jana Vee McKnight. We love you and will miss you're hard-working unconditional Christ like love.
Funeral services will be under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary. Viewing and funeral services will be held at the River Heights 2nd ward chapel, 869 S. 600 East, River Heights, Utah. Viewing to be held at the chapel Thursday, November 21, 2019, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and prior to the services, Friday, November 22 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Funeral services will be at 12:00 and interment will be at the Providence Cemetery in River Heights, Utah.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.allenmortuaries.net.