David Reid McMurdie

David Reid McMurdie passed away on Friday, March 6th, at Legacy House Assisted Living facility in Farmington, Utah.  He was in the company of loved ones at the time of his death.  David’s health had been declining for several years due to complications resulting from Parkinson’s disease.  However his mind stayed sharp and he was able to recognize friends and relatives right up to the end.

David and his twin sister Anne were born to loving parents Reid and Helen Marie Taylor McMurdie, in Salt Lake City, Utah on December 18th 1941.  David grew up in Bear River City, Utah  and the Salt Lake City suburbs where he continued to live for his entire life.

David attended schools in Holladay, and graduated from Olympus High School in 1960.  After high school, David worked in his father’s family business, Reo McMurdie Co. and  the Salt Lake Mill and Lumber Company.  A few years later, he joined the Utah National Guard and also worked in various jobs as a delivery driver before taking, his final job as a UTA bus driver where he retired after working there 20 years.

David was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  After high school he served an LDS mission in California and Nevada.  He was always willing to help with church activities and served as a Youth Explorer leader for three years.

David met Lureeta Nelson on a blind date in the spring of 1965.  Soon after they met they were happily married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on August 5th in that same year.  They created a home in the Salt Lake area, eventually settling in Sandy in 1969.  In 2015, they moved to Layton, to be closer to family.

David grew up hunting and fishing on Strawberry Reservoir with his father and grandfather and loved the outdoors.  During summers, he and Lureeta could be found in various campgrounds throughout Utah and Idaho or fishing in Utah’s creeks and reservoirs – often with friends and relatives.  David was also an outstanding marksman and loved to shoot trap and skeet at a local gun club in Sandy.

David loved his family and friends, and activities and vacations often involved including them.  Unable to have children of their own, David and Lureeta were practically a second set of parents to their dozens of nieces and nephews.  Both were very generous with their time and means and always found ways to make everyone feel loved. 

David is survived by four siblings – Anne Bowlden (Steve Sanders) Portland, Oregon, Pamela Hilton (Jim) St George, Utah, Linda Sever (David deceased) Portland, Oregon, and Steven (Geri) Salt Lake City along with an aunt,  many cousins and dozens of adoring nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and by his loving wife Lureeta, who was his primary caregiver as his Parkinson’s disease progressed during his later years.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 12:00 pm at Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 E. Crestwood Rd., Kaysville, Utah.

We share our sincere appreciation to Denni Oxborrow Dave’s devoted personal caregiver for much of the last year.  Also thanks to the Legacy House Staff and Inspiration Hospice Staff.