David Oldroyd

Colonel David A. Oldroyd (USAF-Retired), 1932–2025
Colonel David A Oldroyd (USAF-Retired), 92, passed away peacefully Monday, January 6, 2025 in Mesa, Arizona surrounded by family.
Born on April 23, 1932, in Provo, Utah, David was the fourth of five sons to Terry James Oldroyd and Josephine Herman Oldroyd. His older brothers and their wives James (Sammie), Herman "Bud" (Frankie), and Tom (Jean), and his parents all welcomed him to heaven. He hoped his mother would greet him with a hot pot of homemade noodles. His younger brother Paul (Virginia) holds down the fort on Earth. Dave laughed to the end that his brother Tom could pull the wool over his dad's eyes and get away with any hijinks.
David graduated from Provo High School and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Utah in 1955, where he proudly played basketball for the Runnin' Utes.
Dave is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Patricia Wittke Oldroyd. He is predeceased by his wife Margaret Joyce Fryer Oldroyd (1935-1958). Dave and Pat lived a life of adventure, as his career as an Air Force pilot took him around the world, including a long and enjoyable stint living in Okinawa, Japan, where he was the Wing Commander of the 376th Strategic Wing. A pioneer in the military aviation community, Dave was among the first pilots of the legendary KC-135 Stratotanker, helping to write the aircraft's instruction manual. His career highlights include participating in an attempt to set a transatlantic speed record, flying Secretary of State John Foster Dulles across Europe and over the North Pole, and conducting reconnaissance missions between Alaska and Russia-one of which nearly got him shot down.
Dave and Pat raised four loving children, Carrie Lynne Oldroyd Phelps (Richard)- Mesa, AZ; Douglas David Oldroyd (Jayne)- Mesa, AZ; Christine Oldroyd (Tom Giesen)- Denver, Colorado; and Richard James Oldroyd (Christine)- Havelock, North Carolina. One memorable move was when Richard was just months old, and the entire family drove from Florida to Fairbanks, Alaska towing a trailer and surviving one flat tire, a busted water hose and four noisy kids. Amazingly, Dave and Pat remained happily married after that trip, and the kids have fond memories of all the places they lived as Air Force brats.
Dave and Pat retired to Mesa, Arizona in 1984, after 30 years in the Air Force. Dave began his second career as a tennis enthusiast, playing in multiple leagues well into his 80s. He had a mean serve and a joy of competition. He loved sports, following the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals and any other sport he could find on TV (watched with the sound on low, to avoid annoying Pat). He volunteered at Banner Gateway Hospital for over 20 years, but was asked to retire at age 87 due to COVID precautions. Dave was a great storyteller, entertaining his children and grandchildren with mischievous characters he invented named Bobby and Ann.
Dave is survived by countless people who love him, including his children and their spouses, nine grandchildren and spouses, seven great grandchildren, his brother and wife, and dozens of nieces and nephews, many of whom have the infamous Oldroyd Eyebrows.
His family wishes to thank his many friends for sharing his enthusiasm for life, laughter and the art of a good story.
He will be deeply missed