David Lawson

David Russell Lawson passed away at the age of 77 on December 24th, 2025, in Springville, Utah.

David was born on March 27, 1948, to Douglas Parsons Lawson and Edith Orr in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the youngest of 4 boys. He grew up at 762 North Redwood Road, in Salt Lake City. There he learned his love for horses and basketball. Hard work was written on his DNA from early childhood as he mowed an acre of lawn with a push blade lawn mower. The brothers spent time hunting pheasants, rabbits, and deer. David graduated from West High School where he competed in wrestling and track. He met Kathy Case in high school, and they were married in February of 1966. August of that year they welcomed their first child Kimberly Kaye. Two and a half years later they welcomed Natalie Shawn and a year later a son, Bret David.

While growing up he spent a lot of time with horses. One fond memory was riding with Bob Clausing chasing rabbits on horses where the airport is now. Once they rode to Bountiful Peak with a third friend and camped overnight sharing one can of food between the three of them. He would travel around and race "cutters" chariot and won some of those with Shetland ponies. Basketball was his other great love. Because of David's smaller size he would get picked to climb through an open window of the girl's bathroom on the second floor of a local church. Once inside he would open the door for a bunch of boys waiting to play basketball, until they got caught.

David worked for Ralph Anderson company for many years where he learned all about installation of doors, locks, and window frames. Inspired to go out on his own, he started Son Specialties. This sustained his family for decades.

Throughout life, David coached his children in many sports but chose to be a coach for softball and baseball. He stayed in Salt Lake City, for many years raising his children. He owned a boat for a short period of time and taught them to waterski at Pineview Reservoir. One of their favorite places was Deseret Gym. There he taught them to swim, dive, and they played racket ball, and basketball for hours on end. Eventually they moved to Taylorsville. He taught his children to ski, ice skate on duck ponds and took them sledding during winter. At one point he was a member of the mounted Sherrif's posse and rode in the Fourth of July parade. His dream was to eventually have horses outside of the Salt Lake valley. He planned for years to build his dream home with a matching barn where he could have horses, dogs, chickens, and live comfortably with his family. With his construction experience he was able to create his own blueprints for his dream home and realized that dream breaking ground in Erda in the fall of 86'.

The marriage to Kathy lasted until 73', he met Jill from Idaho at work, and they were married in 81' for four years. Not deterred by two divorces he again married Julia Adams in 1986 with her two children, Eric and Emily Ballou. They built a log home and matching barn together in Erda. Bret assisted in construction along with his brothers. David kept the home after his third divorce in 2003 and would live there until 2025. While married to Julia they started a tack business on 103rd South Redwood Road called JDs for Julia and David. The business offered a variety of tack for horses and lots of saddles and anything horse enthusiasts would love. Wagon rides were another favorite past time. He owned several wagons over the years and would love to give rides to anyone willing to jump in and take off with a team of horses. Riding his horses in the canyons is what he lived for. Guests would come over just to ride. If anyone was willing to get on a horse, he would saddle up the horses and take them out back. David and Julia were very involved in Team Penning circles, mostly competing at the Tooele Rodeo grounds.

David served as 2nd counselor in the bishopric in one of the Erda wards for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over the years he held many callings, but the one he loved most was basketball coach. He traveled all over Tooele County with his teams and enjoyed the time spent encouraging and molding young men through sports. This earned him the nickname "Super Dave." Again, not giving up on marriage, he found Robyn in 2004, and they remained together until his passing.

David is survived by wife Robyn; natural children Kimberly, Natalie (Paul), and Bret; stepdaughters Taska (Dustin), and Renlee; brothers Dal (Kathy) and Robin; natural grandchildren Jessy (Travis), Preston, Christopher, Ashley, Chase, Raquel, Riley, Alexis, and Reagan; step grandchildren Kaara (Brett), Samantha (Alex), Zailee (Nick), Hatcher, and Brielle; natural great-grandchildren Jack, Donovan, Daniel, Michael, Matthew; step great-grandchildren, Kaden, Ana, Sabrina, and Banks; and a great daughter-in-law Dara.

He is preceded in death by parents Douglas and Edith; brother Doug; sisters-in-law Ann, Janet, and Connie; grandson Braiden; and stepdaughter Kinsey.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the LDS ward house on 323 East Erda Way, Erda, Utah. A viewing will be held prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

David Lawson, the epitome of confidence.