DAVID EVANS

David O. Evans 1931~2010 David Oman Evans, our loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away Friday, January 22, 2010, after enduring multiple extended illnesses. His life was exemplary of endurance, hard work, humility, and kind generosity. He was cheerful and solicitous of others to the end. David was born March 26, 1931, in Mesa, Arizona, of LDS Mexican Colonial pioneers. He was taught how to work hard, milking cows and working the fields. The second child of Marius Oman and Mary Helena Evans, David remained close to his siblings until his death. He was preceded in death by his brother John Reese, and is survived by his sister Vera, and brothers Arza and Charles. He met June S.C. Thorup at a church dance, who waited for him while he served an LDS mission to Oakland, California (1950-1952). They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 21, 1952. He earned a degree in Sociology and later a Master of Social Work, both from the University of Utah. In the 1960's David managed a chain of hospitals and care centers in the greater Los Angeles area. David and June gave birth to nine children. A daughter Heidi (Tim) and seven sons survive him: David Oman Jr. (Julie), Scott (Tracy), Mark (Lisa), Boyd (Dawn), Van, Richard (Keri), Sue and Barry (Brenda). He returned to construction in the early 1970's and taught his sons how to work. There were many long summer days and weeks in the scorching desert sun framing walls or metal buildings and many winters spent working outside. David's philosophy was: "Stay with it until you get the job done." His career came second to his children and he reared them in faithfulness by example. He was a man's man and God wisely entrusted him to rear seven men. He loved his daughters-in-law as his own, and they loved him as their father and cared for him in his final days. He served in many church callings, including as a seminary teacher, psychotherapist, and as a missionary on Temple Square. David co-founded The Christmas Box House International and devoted his remaining healthy years to serving abused, neglected, and orphaned children, both in the US and abroad. Children around the world blessed his name. He was genuine and non-judgmental. David's gentle, unassuming, and unpretentious manner won him many friends. He left a legacy of 40 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to The Christmas Box House Inter-national (thechristmasboxhouse.org) or Generations Humanitarian (genhu.org). Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 30th, at the River View LDS Meetinghouse, 4845 South Woodhaven (1365 W.), Taylorsville. Friends may call on Friday evening, January 29th, from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 So. State Street, Murray, and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.