David John Newey

 

He was called David John Newey when he was in trouble, but his favorite name was Grandpa. David passed away at the age of 80 in his home in Richfield, Idaho on July 29, 2023. The love he had for his family, friends, and neighbors is his legacy. 

He and his lovely twin sister, DaNece, were born in Huntsville, Utah on June 22, 1943 to Harold Allen and LaVerna Burnett Newey, and were welcomed by their big brother, Harold Dee. David had the ideal childhood: horse, dog, and bike and in the winter, downhill skis. His best friend and cousin Paul lived down the road and his grandpa was across the street. He and his sister got into lots of shenanigans, and they enjoyed growing up together. David always said that his mother taught him to read and his father taught him to work. They worked side by side on the family dairy farm and taking care of the horses of their friend and neighbor, President David O. McKay. 

His senior year at Weber High School, he was able to represent the state of Utah at the 4H congress in Chicago and attend the National FFA Convention on the Utah Dairy judging team. After graduating in 1961, and then a year at Weber College, David served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Central Atlantic states where he loved the people and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. On his return, he attended Utah State University, majoring in Rangeland Management. In 1965, a friend set him up on a blind date with Colleen Fisher. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 24, 1967. Their loving relationship has been a guide for their children’s lives. 

After the death of his father, David left college to take over the family dairy farm in the Ogden Valley. He and Colleen had two boys, Chad and Todd, before moving the dairy to Richfield, Idaho. There, they had a beautiful life mixed with the tragedy of losing Todd in 1972, and then the addition of three daughters, Melissa, Nicole, and DeeAnna, and one more son, Robert.

He loved the people and opportunities in the community, helping with 4H, FFA, Boy Scouts and many other activities at the school, in the county, and in church. He and Colleen were the Grand Marshals of the Lincoln County Fair in 2018. He enjoyed serving on many DHIA and Farm Bureau boards and made many lifelong friends there. 

In 1996, they sold the cows and he went to work hydroseeding for Webb Landscaping and then Whiteheads Landscaping & Snow Removal until 2007. 

After he retired, he and Colleen spent many happy hours working in the Twin Falls LDS Temple. The service they gave and the wonderful people they met filled their hearts and souls. His favorite way to spend time, though, was with his wife, kids and especially the grandkids. They attended every game, event and graduation that they could. He would beam and brag about each one and they loved him right back.   

David loved his family and his Savior and served in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was a friend to all and helped everyone he could, always with a laugh and lots of love. Like his dad before him, he was “short in stature only”.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Colleen Fisher Newey; his children, Chad (Tarilynn) Newey, Melissa Newey, Nicole Newey, DeeAnna (Farris) Child, and Robert (Tasha) Newey; his 23 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, Tanner (Jenny), Blake (Mary), Jacob (Madelin), Reid (Madison), Rylee, Felicity, Caleb, Joseph, Seth, Abigail, Taylor, Lindsey, Michael, Rachel, Elizabeth, Sara, Leah, Adam, Lydia, Denali, Grayson, Charlie, Jensen, Callum, Daphne and Hazel. He was preceded in death by his son, Todd; his parents, Harold and LaVerna Newey; his brother, Harold Dee Newey; and his twin sister, DaNece (Ross) Robson. 

A viewing will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Friday, August 4, 2023 at Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 S Lincoln Ave, Jerome. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am, Saturday, August 5, 2023 at the Richfield Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Chapel. Grave dedication will conclude at the Richfield Cemetery. 

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on David’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.