David Thatcher Handley

Family and friends, today we gather to remember the life of David Thatcher Handley, a remarkable man who touched the lives of many. Born on April 27, 1939 in Preston, Idaho, to Thatcher Arnold and Selma (Hawkes) Handley. He had three siblings; Carolyn (Al) Barney, Bruce (Lyn) Handley and Charlotte (Niels) Valentiner. David passed away on March 12, 2024, at his home in Sandy, Utah.

David served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Fargo, North Dakota and Winnipeg, Canada. David enjoyed learning and higher education. He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from Weber State, a Master’s Degree and Doctorate Degree in Education from Utah State University.

On July 12, 1962 David married and was sealed for all eternity in the Los Angeles, California LDS Temple to the love of his life, Betty Jean Morris, whom he met while they both attended Brigham Young University. It was then they started a beautiful, blessed and happy life together.

On June 11, 1963 they welcomed their first child, Laura J Handley. With her birth, their knowledge and skills as parents would start to be tested. Their second child, Todd D Handley, was born 2 years later on December 27, 1964. With the addition of Todd, Betty found that she had her hands full with two children and a husband going to school full-time and working part-time. They felt that with challenges, great blessings come. They had their third child Darren B Handley on January 23, 1967.

David was a teacher at various high schools and eventually moved his family to Las Vegas, Nevada to pursue his career in education/administration as Vice Principal at two high schools. He came back to Utah when he was hired to be the Principal at Highland High School in Salt Lake City. Throughout his time at Highland, David met co-workers and made friends that he would have for many years. In 1979 it was decided that a career change was necessary. David was hired as the CEO of The Salt Lake International Center. He would work at that position until 1985 when another career change was made. David decided to pursue a career as a financial advisor, which through the years would eventually lead him to create Handley Associates. Both Todd and Darren decided to join David in 1990 and worked together for two years before Todd accepted another exciting opportunity. From 1992 -2010 David and Darren worked together as financial advisors and insurance brokers. David retired in 2010.

David was not just an educator, but a passionate enthusiast of sports, particularly football and golf. David and Betty were at every game that any of their children and grandchildren were participating in, which made for some very busy weekends. Their support was legendary. They became regulars on road trips to various towns and cities where games were played. Teammates became accustomed to seeing them at the games and felt comfort in their support and felt that they were the “Team Parents”, especially when their own parents weren’t able to attend.

David’s love for golf came to life when he would organize golf trips to his favorite place on earth, Scotland. Golfing on the courses where golf was invented, David felt right at home and absolutely loved each trip that he took. His sons were able to go with him on multiple occasions and he was able to travel there with his loving wife, Betty, to show her his beloved destination. He organized the best trips and was an incredible “tour guide” with supplemental information pre-printed for each landmark or attraction that was encountered.

David was not only a loving husband but a devoted father to his daughter and two sons. He instilled in them his passion for sports, work ethic and creating bonds and memories that will last a lifetime. His joy multiplied with the arrival of 11 grandchildren, and he beamed with pride as the great-grandfather to 15 darling great-grandchildren. As most of us know, David wasn’t shy about talking to just about anyone at just about any time. Those conversations usually turned into stories about his life experiences or stories about his children or grandchildren. Sometimes you got more than you bargained for with multiple stories or poems taking a little longer than anyone would have anticipated. After meeting Dave, you felt like you had known him for years due to the amount of information he shared (sometimes too much information).

His sweetheart, Betty, endured a year-long battle with cancer and eventually passed in 2008 with David by her side the entire grueling, relentless time taking immaculate care of all her needs. David was her knight in shining armor, her unwavering care giver, her hero. David spent countless hours composing poems in honor of Betty and their relationship.

After the loss of Betty, he married Margaret (Peggy) Adams on August 1, 2008. They were together for almost 16 years. Over the years, David and Peggy experienced many travels and David was always so grateful for Peggy’s companionship.

David is survived by his three children; Laura (Todd) Murray and three children, Todd (Emilee) Handley and three children, Darren (Laura) Handley and five children as well as 15 great-grandchildren. Today, we say goodbye to a man whose legacy will live on in the hearts of all he associated with and those he leaves behind. David will be missed, but we find comfort in knowing that he has been reunited with his eternal companion, his beloved Betty, and other loved ones that have gone on before. May his memory be a comfort to us all. “Swing with ease into the breeze, Laddy”.