David William Salmond, loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather passed peacefully from his mortal life on September 22, 2021.
He was born in Ogden, Utah, on November 12, 1952, to Norma Grace Hadley and William David Beede. He was later adopted by Robert Salmond after Robert’s marriage to Norma.
He graduated from Lincoln High School in Nebraska in 1971. Then he served in the Southwest Indian Mission from 1972 to 1974. His remarkable technical and mechanical skills afforded him a unique opportunity to serve doing what he did best — repairing and maintaining the mission vehicles and trailers. There he laid the foundation for a lifetime of service to the Lord. His natural, uncanny ability to troubleshoot every mechanical, electrical, digital, plumbing, and automotive problem imaginable was a wonder to all who witnessed it. His endless supply of “know-how” experience and advice will be sorely missed.
He married Kelly Jensen on September 25, 1975 in the Logan, Utah temple, and together they were blessed with eight children. September 25th marks 46 years together.
He played the drums in high school, and sang in the school musicals. After his mission, he sang in Weber State Singers and later joined the Mormon Youth Chorus. Accompanied by Kelly on the piano, he sang often with his children, teaching them to make and appreciate beautiful music. He selflessly sacrificed many long nights helping with audio-visual needs for his children’s school concerts, productions, and recordings.
He thoroughly enjoyed his almost thirty year career working in the audio-visual department for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the friendships he made there. He diligently worked countless General Conference sessions, temple dedications, Music and the Spoken Word productions, Tabernacle Choir concerts, and thrived with the challenge of engineering the broadcast and translation systems at the Conference Center at Temple Square.
He was blessed to be technical support for many church pageants and made it a point to share these priceless experiences with his family, which continues to bless them even today. In the summer of 1994, Dave and Kelly traveled across the country with their eight children (aged 3 to 17) for their first trip to the Hill Cumorah Pageant where Dave assisted in the production. This was repeated twice more in the famous converted school bus (motorhome) of Dave’s own design. It was there that unshakeable testimonies took shape, countless lifelong lessons were taught and learned, and hundreds of fond memories were shared during the months spent traveling together.
From 2010 to 2017, Dave and Kelly spent the summer months together in West Yellowstone managing Woodside Bakery and Hadley’s Motel. There they formed valued friendships with their employee family, tourist friends, and local neighbors.
He is survived by his wife Kelly, and his children — Jason (Lindi), Joseph (Jennifer), Craig, Daniel (Kira), Cory (Bonnie), Angela Smith (Kyler), Jennifer Moore (Mitchell), Katie Salmond, as well as eighteen grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Lonn (Gail), Nyles (Patty), Steven, Meri Ann (David) Miller, Allyn (Rachelle), Beth (Ted), and step-siblings Michael, Mark, Kathy, and John.
Viewings will be held on Thursday, September 30 from 6–8 pm and Friday, October 1 from 9:30–10:30 with funeral services to follow at 11am. All services will be held at the Lindquist Mortuary, 869 S 2000 W Syracuse, UT 84075.
Services can be view online at https://youtu.be/oCylsWvmxdA
Internment will be in the Clinton, Utah cemetery, 813 N 750 W, Clinton, UT 84015.
I met Dave long before I became a co-worker with him in 2001. He was very passionate about serving in and for the Church as we all were. No day was too long or work too hard to get the job completed. Dave was always full of his little quotes which I termed, "Salmondisms." I have used several of them through the years. We may not have always seen things eye to eye, but I loved the man for the many things he taught me. I heard many stories of how he accompanied different General Authorities on certain trips. He will be sorely missed in this life. Until we meet again, my friend, brother.
Sorry to hear of David's passing Scott and miss ya all. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Scott & Ralita Patterson
Dear Salmon Family,
Dave was such a great inspiration to me! Beer irked over 20 years on General Conferences together. Always could make me laugh! He was such an awesome friend! Thoughts and hugs to your family at this sad time in your lives! He will be truly missed!
Much love coming your way!
Melodee Paul
Joe,
We're so sorry for your loss.
Didn't know your Dad, but it sounds like your Grandfather raised a great man.
Best wishes,
Bob & Jenny.
I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he was a wonderful man. If the veil was lifted there would be no sorrow. I wish you and your family the best
LaRita
Dave and I worked side by side, he as a member of the LDS Church AV team and me as a consulting engineer and operator for General Conference and many other broadcast and production endeavors. He was a good friend and confidant and dedicated man. I will miss him sorely.
-david BTW
Kelly, we are so very sorry to hear of David’s passing. We wish the peace of our father in Heaven to be with you and your family.
I knew Dave as my boss in Yellowstone. He was so funny. He loved to make others laugh. He was great at impressions. We would talk about movies and music and laugh at the crazy tourists. He could fix anything. He even rigged up a food processor to work specifically for what I needed. He loved trying the new bakes and was always in the heart of our Sunday fun days even though he pretended not to like it. We knew the truth. He will be missed by those who loved him and laughed with him. He left behind, for a short while, an incredible family.