David W. Toone

David Wayne Toone; dearly beloved husband, father, grandpa, son, brother, neighbor, and friend; passed away peacefully in his own home on November 30, 2025, at the age of 90 after suffering a stroke 3 months prior. He was under the care of his family who cherish the privilege it was to return just a fraction of the loving care this wonderful man gave them throughout their lives. Dave lived a remarkable life! As we reflect upon his actions and words, we find inspiration that will act like launching fuel for our dreams, and instructions that will guide us through fixing whatever may need repair along the way.

David was born June 12, 1935, in Murray, Utah to the close-knit family of Clements and Lena Elmina Toone. He dearly loved his parents, his oldest sister Larene, and his five brothers Reed, Stan, Ross, Christian and Harley, all of whom shaped his life in profound ways as they worked together to survive and thrive on their farm in Magna, Utah. The hardships were incredible during the Great Depression, but the Toone Family found joy in working hard together. They also found unity and strength in their faith and developed marvelous creativity and ingenuity to overcome the problems presented during the desperate circumstances of the time. It was in these early years on the farm that Dave’s prodigious mechanical genius became apparent. At the age of 10, he could fix the tractors and equipment better than anyone. The neighboring farmers would even hire young Dave to repair their broken machines. This propensity to fix that which is broken proved to be a driving force throughout his life. Until his final few days of life, we have never known our Dad to be without his Leatherman, his tool bag, his willing hands, and a roll of duct tape to boot. If any of his kids even hinted that they were thinking of starting a project or needing something fixed, Dad seemed compelled to show up and help launch the project.

As a young adult, David decided to major in Electrical Engineering at the University of Utah after faithfully serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Southern States. He had already mastered Mechanical Engineering as a youth, so he wanted to expand his knowledge and capabilities with the power of electricity. It was during this endeavor that Dave was fortunate enough to capture the attention of the darling Karen Thompson. Sparks flew, and they were married for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on June 25, 1963. They finished up Dave’s degree while living in married student housing near campus, made life-long friends with three other young married couples (the Suttons, Hobsons and Kays), welcomed first son, Jeffrey, then bought their first (and last) home on Gramercy Avenue in Ogden, Utah after securing Dave’s first job with Utah Power and Light.

Dave and Karen joyously brought six more children into their family over the next decade and a half (Bonnie, Missy, Becky, Brad, Shelly and Jason). Bonnie lived only a few hours, but Mom and Dad always spoke with certainty that she is ours forever because of the sealing blessings of the gospel. During these same years of growing their family, Dad was growing his career to provide for the family, and to contribute his engineering skills to big projects. Now working as an Aerospace Engineer for Hercules and Thiokol, he worked on many Navy and NASA contracts including Trident Missiles, solid fuel rocket boosters for the Space Shuttle program, and many more…using his abilities to launch things and fix things, which strengthened and blessed our country with safety and exploration.

Throughout his career years, Dad always made time to play heartily with his family. He spent endless hours in his garage together with especially his boys, but also the girls, building the Dune Buggies, fixing the snowmobiles, engineering the Chuck Wagon, and countless other projects, to have the toys and gear necessary for big adventures in the mountains and deserts of Utah. He also devoted himself to activity and service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in Bishoprics, on the High Council, and loved his years as the Bishop for the Single Adult Ward, but the majority of his years of service in the Church was given to the Boy Scouts of America program. His own sons and countless other young men certainly learned how to be more trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent under the mentoring of Dave Toone. He received the highest-level distinguished service award, the Silver Beaver, for his remarkable service in the BSA.

Because of his playful, positive nature, and his ability to make work feel fun, Dave Toone’s kids and grandkids have been given the treasure of happy memories and shared experiences that will always make us laugh and smile. Thanks to him, we all know the first and last names of each of our toes, understand the language of Donald Duck, know how to avoid starting a forest fire at the end of a Lion Hunt, and enjoy receiving a “rhinoceros nose” made of shaving cream. Each of us will come running to the sound of the “Toone whistle” or the sound of an ahooga horn, because we know that means, “Grandpa’s here!”

In retirement, Dave reignited his early interest of repairing and rebuilding the same tractors he grew up with (now antiques) and found tremendous enjoyment competing (and beating the socks off everyone!) in tractor pulls in many county fairs and other antique machinery events around the state. Karen was his greatest supporter, and he made many close friends through this hobby. Due to the custom modifications and TLC Dave gave his 1940’s John Deere model D, the tractor pulled him and the transfer sled to victory countless times, the last time being this very year at the age of 90, just weeks before suffering the stroke that ended his earth life.

Surviving are his grateful children who all feel blessed beyond what they deserve to have had such a wonderful father who chose for them such a wonderful mother. Dave’s children include Jeffery (Alydia Barton) Toone, Missy (John) Allred, Becky (Matt) Nelson, Brad (Amy) Toone, Shelly (Nathan) Wood, Jason (April Sullivan) Toone, and a bonus daughter Melissa (Van) Hansen. Dave has one surviving sibling, his younger brother and best friend Harley (Kay) Toone. There are also 27 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren who are generally crazy about their Grandpa Toone and will carry forward his legacy of love.

He was preceded in death by his beautiful, adored wife Karen; his baby daughter, Bonnie Gay; and his dear parents and five older siblings, who are no doubt celebrating David’s arrival on the other side of the veil.

Dad, you will be carried in our hearts, minds, and car engines forever as your inspiring example and instructive words continue to provide launching power for our dreams and mending power for our trials. Thank you for your signature parting words, “Be a good boy!” or “Be a good girl!” Those words will guide us always. We love you.

Please join with us to remember and celebrate the incredible life of Dave Toone.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Memorial Park Ward Chapel, 3755 Porter Avenue, Ogden. Friends may visit with family on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Wasatch Lawn in Millcreek.

Services will be live-streamed and available the day of the services by scrolling to the bottom of Dave’s obituary page at: www.lindquistmortuary.com where condolences may also be shared.

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