David Eardley West

1932 ~ 2020

David Eardley West died peacefully in his home in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 31, 2020. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 1, 1932, a son of David Arnold West and Ruthella Eardley West. He was educated in the Salt Lake City schools, graduating from East High School in 1949 and from the University of Utah School of Law in 1957. David married his college sweetheart Dixie Clay. Together they have had 5 children, 23 grandchildren, and 35 great grandchildren.

David had a long and distinguished legal career spanning more than 50 years. During most of his career he was a trial attorney and partner in Armstrong Rawlings & West. Later he established a solo practice in West Valley City. He has served as a Board Member and past President of Utah Trial Lawyers Association (now Utah Association for Justice), Clerk in the Utah Supreme Court, Assistant Attorney General, past President Davis County Bar Association, multi Bar committees, Board of Trustees of S.J. Quinney School of Law, and has authored more than 50 articles published in Utah Trial Journal and other legal periodicals. In addition, David served for 40 years as a Director of Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. a multi-state Bar-related title insurance company, where he has chaired numerous committees, served as Vice-Chairman of the Board, and served on a national American Bar Association Title Insurance Committee.

Throughout his life David was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he has served in many capacities including three bishoprics. He loved the Church. At the time of his death he was a High Priest in the St. Mary\s Ward, Monument Park Stake.

David\s first love was his family which he loved dearly. He especially enjoyed sporting events, family get togethers, family vacations, house boating on Lake Powell, spending time in St. George, and just hanging out. He was a fanatic Ute fan and Jazz fan and loved traveling to bowl games and other occasional games away from home.

David is survived by his wife Dixie, his children David C. West (Holly), Arnold J. West (Jennifer), Janice W. Karren (Wade), Barbara W. Jessee (Ron), and John W. West (Lisa), 21 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren, and his sister Wanda W. Badger. He was preceded in death by his parents, by his sisters Betty W. West, Beverly W. Monson, Eloise W. Ellis, Helen W. Driggs and by grandchildren Elizabeth Angel West and Mark Eardley West.

David was proud of his heritage and at one time wrote in his journal that he would like to be labeled as an American, a Utahn, a Salt Laker, a West, an Eardley, and a lawyer. He was all of these things.

Funeral services under the direction of Larkin Mortuary will be held at the Monument Park Stake Center located at 1320 S Wasatch Drive on Saturday, February 8th, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. A viewing will be held on Friday, February 7th from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn (2350 E 1300 S) and Saturday from 10:30-11:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. (Obituary written by David E. West)