David Lesley Emery, 74, passed away doing one of the things he loved the most: fishing on his little boat at Potters Pond on August 30, 2023.
Dave was born on April 29, 1949 in the little town of Caraway, Arkansas. Dave met his wife, Kathryn Dee Emery, on August 24, 1970 while stationed in Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California where he served in the US Marine Corps until October 1970. While out to purchase a vehicle, Dave walked into a cafe for coffee, and walked out with the waitress who would shortly become his wife on September 26, 1970. Within a few short years, and several moves later, they found themselves with three small children and an opportunity to move to the small town of Huntington, Utah. At first the move was to be temporary, but little did they know they would fall in love with the area, the community, and the people.
Since taking up residence in Huntington, Dave has held several important positions (formal and informal) within the Huntington community where he was relied upon by many. He was a hard-working employee of Emery Telcom for 30 years and volunteered his time even after retiring in 2007. Dave was a leader in Boy Scouts for many years where he received the Silver Beaver award, was a member of the Order of the Arrow, and helped many boys achieve their Eagle Scout award. He was a member of the Huntington City Council and a board member of the Desertview Federal Credit Union in Huntington.
Dave became a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Elkhart, Indiana in February 1971, where he was baptized by missionaries. Since then, he has held several callings within his church, including accepting a service mission in Huntington 1st Ward, where he has helped many people within his church and community. As the self-appointed town fix-it-man in Huntington, Dave was always willing and available to help anyone in need no matter the time or day. Dave loved his community and showed it with his countless hours of community service including his beloved lawn mower races, which were the highlight of every summer for the last 11 years. Dave even ensured his beard was to “Santa length” every Christmas to play the part. Dave was loved by everyone who met him. He was a pillar in his family, church, and community. Dave was a devoted husband, beloved father, adoring grandfather, a proud great-grandfather, and an exceptional friend. There is no one like him, he will be missed, and his love and generosity will never be forgotten.
Dave is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn Dee Emery; nine children, Virginia Ann (Tad) Reid of West Jordan, Utah, Constance Laura (Tommie) Craven, Grand Junction, CO, David James (Christeil) Emery, Cataula, GA, Jessica Pearl Emery, Grand Junction, CO, Charles Robert Emery, Kemmerer, WY, Mary Alice (Jeffrey) Plumb, Cedar City, Utah, Kathryn Elizabeth (Michael) Lundgren of Kemmerer, WY, Lesley Jean (Rosco) Davis of Price, Utah, and Joseph Roy Adam (Kammi) Emery of Price, Utah; and his other children by choice, Troy Tucker, Carl Potter, Anna Kemp, and Randy and Kori Bouldin; youngest brother, James Leonard Emery Jr., Piney, AR; 50 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren, all of whom adored their grandfather and will miss his love, patience, practical wisdom, and his “grandpa” jokes.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Leonard Emery and Pearl Lee Kendrick; Kathy’s parents, Robert Charles Voorhees and Constance Winther Voorhees; younger brothers, Dennis Partain and Paul Emery; and his great-granddaughter, Molly Killpack.
Funeral service, Saturday, September 9, 2023, 11:00 a.m., Huntington Stake Center. The family will receive friends Friday evening at the church from 5-7:00 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Interment, Huntington City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Dave online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.
The family requests that money not be spent on flowers but rather donated to the needy or toward Dave’s funeral costs. Donations may be made by clicking on the “Donate Funeral Funds” button on the Mitchelle Funer Home page, just under Dave’s obituary photo.