David Elden Ward, Sr.

David Elden Ward, Sr., 76, passed away on November 9, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on April 25, 1949, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Elden Shirley Ward and Florence (French Petterson) Ward.

David spent his early years in Nebraska, later moving to Portland, and then to Bountiful, Utah, in the summer of 1964. He graduated from Bountiful High School on May 26, 1967, forming lifelong friendships that have lasted over fifty years, and that have led to weekly lunches for the last five years.

He attended Utah State University before serving with Special Forces during the Vietnam War. He was wounded and recuperated at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, where he was supported by the family of his close friend Larry Lee.

David earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Utah on June 3, 1972, and received his ROTC commission on June 5, 1972. He graduated from the police academy in May 1974 and began his career with the Salt Lake City Police Department that same year. He served the community for 35 years, from March 22, 1974, until December 31, 2009, retiring with the rank of Sergeant.

David loved the mountains, rock hounding, fishing, cooking, gardening, garage sales, and spending time outdoors. He was happiest with dirt under his boots, a pocket full of “good rocks,” something simmering on the stove, and a project underway. Food was how he gathered people, and his yearly salsa canning became a tradition everyone looked forward to. Friends, neighbors, and even his doctors at St. Mark’s expected their jars each year—more than one appointment began with, “Good to see you… did you bring the salsa?” Gardening was how he steadied himself. Fishing and being in the hills were how he breathed. He had an eye for small treasures and simple joys.

He made friends everywhere he went. Whether at the grocery store, a restaurant, the farmer’s market, or anywhere in town, someone always greeted him by name. Running errands with him took time, because he stopped for people—and people stopped for him. He remembered details, asked about families, and made everyone feel seen and valued.

He began each day and ended each night by sending messages to friends and family—a good morning, a joke, a check-in, or a quiet word of encouragement. Many received those messages through some of the hardest seasons of their lives. Those daily touches became part of the rhythm of people’s days. They will be missed deeply.

He was preceded in death by Dottie’s parents; Eldon “Lucky” and Dorothy Wilson, his parents Elden and Florence Ward, his sister Shirley, and his niece Jennifer.

He is survived by his life partner, Dottie; his son, David Jr.(Paige); his children Ian and Camille; his stepdaughters Tiffany (Doug), Tammy (Rob), and Traci; 12 grandchildren: Alex, Benson, Max (Jared), Cheyenne (Collin), Dakota (Vince), McKenna, Camryn (Isaac), Peyton, Holden, Hayden, Logan (Berlyn), Riley, great-grandson, Remington, his nephew John Baron “JB” (Ashley) and their 4 children; Jude, JJ, Bailey and Jet.

A Celebration of Life will be held on:

Friday, November 21st

Service: 6:00–7:00 PM with an Open House to follow from 7:00–9:00 PM

At Redeeming Life Church

696 North 400 East

Bountiful, Utah 84010

Flowers may be sent to the church prior to the service

Special thanks to Tom Rieber, Mia, and the staff of St. Mark’s Hospital ICU who took care of Dave during his final days.

He will be deeply missed.