DAVID STEPHENS NOVEMBER 12, 1949 - JUNE 4, 2020

On June 4th, 2020 our dad, David Stephens, lost his battle with pulmonary fibrosis. We are saddened at his early departure and find it ironic because he was generally late to important events. Seventy is far too young to lose your life especially when you have so many more cookies to bake. Feeding people was his love language and you learned quickly that you couldn’t say, “just a small slice” or “no thanks, I’m full” because that would surely get you a double XL serving of spaghetti or half a pie.

David Stephens was a man of action on a global scale, a social entrepreneur that was always helping others to be able to help themselves. He had been working on a project that would bring satellite broadband connectivity to rural farmers and with this connectivity these farmers could utilize the latest smart farm technologies to help them make better crop management decisions to improve yields and provide better for their families. (link about his recent work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Q3g-IbIvI&feature=youtu.be)

David was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed giving church lessons, talks, and when he bore his testimony of Christ’s gospel, he always stressed that we need to help the poor and disenfranchised people improve their lives. 

He bought his first motorcycle at 13 and wasn’t without one until he retired that hobby in his mid 60’s. He especially loved snow skiing and getting his 100 days in a year. He was the ultimate curator of experiences and an excellent gift giver. He loved feeding the police and their families in Park City on the 4th of July for the past 14 years. He had a knack for remembering random facts about those in his life and making you feel special. He could talk to anyone, was quite the storyteller, and didn’t have a problem telling the same jokes over and over despite the head rolls of his nearest children. He worked in the technology field most of his adult career. He understood that technology was vital to helping end poverty in third world countries and wanted to be a part of that. Based on the outpouring of love and support from multiple countries around the world, we know that he had an impact on many.

David is survived by his mother Phillis Simon, his wife Sherrie Stephens the love of his life for 40 plus years, his 11 children, 49 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandkids. We love that he continued to give even after his passing as an organ donor and also to science and research in hopes of finding a cure to this illness. This son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a friend will be greatly missed. We love you, dad, farewell until we meet again. XOXO