David Lind Gillette

1937 ~ 2022

David Lind Gillette passed away peacefully on August 15, 2022, at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. David was born October 12, 1937 in Pasadena, California. He was a beloved son of Sam and Zelpha (Jones) Gillette. While still a young boy, his family moved to Tooele, Utah and later to Salt Lake City.

David attended East High School and the University of Utah. While at the U he was involved in many student activities including joining the Beta Theta Pi fraternity where he made lifelong friends. He joined the ROTC and continued to serve his country as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Utah Air National Guard. He was elected Jr. Class President. Through his work in student government he was involved in inviting Martin Luther King Jr. to speak. David picked him up from the airport and drove him to the Union Building, an experience he remembered fondly throughout his life.
Music became an important part of his college life. He played the guitar and sang with a musical quartet called the Villagers. He played the trombone and banjo, and loved performing and singing in many quartets and choirs throughout his life.

After obtaining his bachelor's degree, David continued his education at the University of Utah School of Law. On March 16, 1962, David was married and sealed to his lifelong companion Doris Anita Price in the Salt Lake Temple. The next year during his law school graduation ceremony, Doris went into labor with the first of their five children.

Following graduation, he began his law practice in Pasadena, California. He then moved back to Utah where he continued a successful law career at Van Cott, Bagley, Cornwall and McCarthy. At age 54 David retired to serve a mission after which he began a second career in real estate development. David had a gift for entrepreneurship and was involved in building numerous businesses.

David lived a life of service and gave generously throughout his life to those in need. As a young man, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Hawaiian Islands, where he had the unique experience of serving in one of the last remaining leper colonies. He loved the Hawaiian people, food and culture, and learned to play the ukulele with great gusto. Later, he served as a Bishop for a student ward, where he made many friends. After retiring from his law practice, David and Doris served as Mission Leaders for the Massachusetts, Boston Mission, and later for the Salt Lake Temple Square Mission. He also served with Doris as a counselor to the Mission President for the Provo MTC. They spent a summer in Lima, Peru where they served in the temple in the mornings and taught English in the evenings. They also spent a school year where Doris taught English and David taught Economics and Law at the Foreign Affairs University in Beijing China. He was active in many civic organizations including the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, and was the President of the Salt Lake Chapter of the Rotary Club, and President of the United Way of Utah.

David led an active lifestyle which took him from heli-skiing in the peaks of the Canadian Bugaboos to scuba diving in the depths of the Caribbean and the Great Barrier Reef. He loved tennis and golf, stayed fit running, skiing and waterskiing, and enjoyed sharing these activities with his children and grandchildren. He and Doris loved to travel, and they traveled throughout the world.

David loved his relationship as a father with each of his 5 children. He taught them to enjoy all of the activities he loved which they experienced together throughout their lives. He always gave great advice, which often was quite funny. He found much joy as a grandfather to 22 grandchildren and great-grandfather to 13 great-grandchildren, and loved spending time with each of them. David made a challenge and offered to pay reward money to anyone in the family who could beat him at any sport. He only had to pay on rare occasions.

David is survived by: his wife, Doris Price Gillette; children Steven (Jennefer) Gillette, Heather (Kent) Hansen, Michelle (Todd) Woods and Derek (Jennifer) Gillette; and his sister Kathy (Mike) Place. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Samuel Lindberg Gillette and Zelpha Ursula Jones Gillette; his daughter Jennifer (Todd) Cusick; and his siblings Larry (Mary) Gillette and JoAnne (Mac) Bay.

A viewing will be held Sunday, August 21 at Larkin Sunset Lawn (2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah) from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 22, 2022 at the Monument Park Stake Center, (1320 South Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah). Viewing will be held from 10:00 - 11:30 am, funeral starting at 12:00 pm and graveside services to follow.

The recorded service can be viewed bi clicking the "Watch Services" button above


Guestbook/Condolences

Another missionary from the Massachusetts Boston Mission (greatest in the world!), and grateful for my two years with the Gillettes. President Gillette helped me work and enjoy my mission, and included his family on many occasions. My heart goes out to his family.


- David Thomas

May Comfort & Love be with All …
Blessings to Doris Anita Gillette & Family


- Anita Carter Helton

So sorry for your loss. A great father and grandfather and great example to all. Loved how Dave always made you feel welcome and was interested in your lives. We will miss him and are praying for Doris and his family and friends.


- David and Jodi Butlet

My deepest condolences to the family. President Gillette to me was a great counselor, he radiates the light of Christ in his words and in his actions. His example will forever be remembered.


- Jonalyn Chewacheo

With all my love and encouragement from Tahiti, I send my sincere condolences to Sister Doris Gillette and her family


- Vaiarava CLARK JOHNSTON

To Sister Gillette and family. I served as a missionary in the Mass Boston mission 91-93. I was saddened to hear of the passing of President Gillette. He was such an incredible mission president! Sister Gillette was just as equaly strong a teacher and influence for good in my life. It's kind of hard for me to describe how improtant these two were to me. I've mentioned to my wife numerous times that I was definitely in the right mission with the right mission president! President and sister Gillettes teaching and examples of righteous lives made a huge impact on me. They were examples of how I wanted to be and the type of marriage I hoped to have. I've been so lucky to be sealed in the temple to an incredible wife and to be raising seven wonderful children. My time as a missionary in Massachusetts under President and sister Gillette was such an pivotal point in my Life. I Love president and sister Gillette and consider them dear friends even though I'm horrible at staying in touch . I just wanted to send my fondest memories of such an incredible man and consider my self so lucky to have been influenced by his love, leadership and example.
All of our love and prayers to all of the Gillette family. Sincerely Mark Livingston


- Mark Livingston

Dear Doris,
Please accept my deepest sympathy at the loss of David. He was such an amazing man. I have fond memories of our younger years and thought it so wonderful he would marry a friend of mine. I send you my love and sympathy knowing how difficult this time can be. What a blessing to be an eternal family.
I suspect that Fred was there to welcome him to the other side.
Much love,
Jane


- Jane Watson Hales

Sending all my love and condolences to The Gillette family. I served on Temple Square while President and Sister Gillette were serving as Mission President.
Thank you for your example, it truly has touched my life for good and it is a time in my life that shaped the course of my life.
With all my love, always! Octavia Amituanai (Olden)


- Octavia Amituanai

I’m am so sorry to hear that he has passed away. Nothing but the fondest memories of him as my mission president. He will be so missed.


- Jason Fischer

Dear Sister Gillette and Family,
I have fond memories of serving in the Massachusetts Boston Mission (Spanish-speaking) in 1992 and 1993 under President and Sister Gillette. I am grateful to have had the chance to know such a great man, and truly appreciate his example of service to others. Sending love and hugs to all of you, and especially to Sister Gillette. It is a comfort to know that you are sealed, and can look forward to a glorious eternity together.
Love,
Nancy


- Nancy Norris Stufflebeam

President Gillette was a great man and an amazing mission president! He will always be in my heart. Sending prayers to you Sister Gillette. You've got sisters from all over the world praying for you! Thank you both for making a difference in my life.


- Ana de Castro

You have loved us and helped us in ways that we will never forget. Thank you for the love that you and Sister Gillette have given us. We love you forever.


- Sister Espanto

Sending you my love and condolences to you and your family sister Gillette. May God bless you and your family at this time.

I am from India, and served my mission on Temple Square 2012-2014. I am grateful for the time I had to serve along with you and president Gillette.

President Gillette was a great influence and example of putting God first and serving God whole heartedly. He will be missed.


- Serah Doraiswamy Pokhrel

Dear Doris,
Praying for your comfort & peace. Thanks to both of you for being such kind, patient and loving mission Presidents. I still have the collection of Boston moments you gave me and shared them with my family before a recent trip to MA. The way you encouraged us to love and engage with the people of MA was so beautiful in taking an interest and learning about the things they take pride in. Love to you and your family. R Tueller Carnahan


- Rachel

Aloha and Talofa!

My sincere condolences and prayers of comfort for our Gillette Aiga! Thank you, Pres Gillette for your selfless act of service and love for Heavenly Father and his gospel! You and Sister Gillette has played a big role in my spiritual life! I can just imagine your big smile playing the ukulele on the side of the veil!

Much Aloha’s! Until we meet again!


- Sister Saili


Doris and family
Sending love and hugs to you all from the Moores. Dave was a wonderful person that we admired and loved. He will be missed very much, Love Margy


- Margy Moore

Sending my aloha to the Gillette family, President Gillette will always be a father to me and a great example in my spiritual journey Serving in Temple Square. I will miss him dearly but I know he is doing well and am grateful for the knowledge of the gospel and I will get to give him a big hug again.

All my love (143)
Sister Syndi Spencer Kealamakia


- Syndi Spencer Kealamakia

Dear Aunt Doris and family, we cannot express enough love to you all at the passing of Uncle David. He was and is a great man in every way. I grew up loving him (and your whole family) as I watched his Christ-like example with each interaction I had. I wish we could give you a hug in person but will be unable to be at the funeral as we are in Switzerland right now seeing where Grant’s ancestors are from.
Please know we love you dearly and pray you will feel the love of your extended family at the time.
Much love, Grant and Wendy Stucki


- Wendy Stucki

I love the comment about meeting Martin Luther King Jr. in the obituary. It ties our history and association together. Such a great man admiring such a great man.
Dean W. Cox


- Dean Cox

I have many sweet memories with David. He is a wonderful example. I cherish his friendship and look forward to the day that we will be together again.


- Larry Lunt

Doris & Family:
We send our heartfelt condolences. David was a friend, quartet group member and sterling missionary example. Home teaching was always a delight, as your family always made time for our visits. It was wonderful to update with the talks of each of you children the honor and reverence you have always have shown your parents. Our love and prayers are for your continuing peace. Sincerely, Tim & Gayle


- Timothy T., Jr. & Gayle Brosnahan

“Irrespective of age, we mourn for those loved and lost. Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. …
“Moreover, we can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life.” -Russell M. Nelson-

I pray for you beautiful Gillette family. A wonderful kind, generous, cheerful, loving man and leader will be forever remembered. Much love for you from Sister Robayo from Sweden and Colombia


- Shara Hofmann

I am so grateful to have met President Gillette. What a remarkable example of being a disciple of Christ. You will forever be remembered.


- Kele Mokalake

Sister Gillette,

Oh my heart is so full for you and your family. Thank you, THANK YOU, for playing such a huge role in my life with wonderful President Gillette. I love you both tremendously.

All my love,

Jessica (Sister Fisher from Texas)


- Jessica Fisher (Champlin)

My deepest condolences to sister Doris Gillette and the family, from Zambia🇿🇲 African . President David Gillette was a great part of my life and will forever be. every time I talk about my my mission President and sister Gillette are part of my highlights. My testimony of Jesus Christ became stronger because he lived a Christlike life.....he was always there to listen whenever I needed to talk, he was not only my mission President he was also my mentor. I Will miss him greatly, till we meet again 🫶


- Claire Shamanga

Sister Gillette: What a wonderful example of service and goodness you and President Gillette have been to so many! It was an honor to serve at the MTC when you were there; I'm so grateful our paths crossed and that I got to know both of you. Blessings to you and your family.

Much, much love - Judy Johnson (Music Director, MTC)


- JUDY JOHNSON

Sister Gillette and Family,
My condolences are extended to you with love. I knew your dear one as he served as a young Elder in the Hawaii Mission, so many years ago. My three sisters and I, all of our lives, have looked up to, respected, and honored the valiant Elders and Sisters who lived the very message they shared.
Lynnette Haycock Dowdle


- Lynnette Haycock Dowdle