David Wicker Freed, 74, of Salt Lake City, Utah passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022. Family was paramount to the loving husband, father, son, brother and soon-to-be grandfather. Dave was married to Luella for 47 years and they traveled the world with fabulous friends. A businessman, mentor, and loyal friend, Dave was strong, determined, fair, and understanding. He was a passionate art collector, world traveler, avid cyclist, connoisseur of food and wine, and was always willing to share his recommendations. His favorite retreats were in Kauai, where he spent precious time with his family, and at the cabin up Weber Canyon. Dave spent his formative years as a cowboy working on the family property, expanding his passion for animals and the outdoors.
While at the University of Utah, Dave, being one semester shy from receiving his MBA, got a call from his Uncle Bob requesting help with the family business, Lagoon Amusement Park. Family was always a priority, so Dave answered that call and began his lifelong career at Lagoon. As an officer and director of America’s largest family-owned amusement park, Dave participated in and was well respected by organizations such as the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions and the American Society for Testing and Materials. In 1988, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award given in recognition of the most outstanding service to the amusement and attraction industry by an individual. His contributions to Lagoon and its guests have not gone unnoticed. To Dave, the employees at Lagoon were family. His loyalty was reciprocated by the many long-time employees who have spent their entire careers at Lagoon; a family amusement park that truly feels like family.
Dave’s absence in the lives of those who knew him leaves a deep void. However, as he would expect, the path forward will be one step at a time in his honor. Dave, you are loved and you will be greatly missed.
Dave is survived by his wife, Luella, daughters Kirsten and Julie, brothers Howard and Michael, sisters Anne, Kristen and Jennifer, and grandson David Leo Freed. Preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Cristie Freed.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to ALS Research foundations.
Private family services will be held.
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Jacoba "Cobie" Derryberry
I met Dave some 25 years ago when my company (Wadsworth Brothers) built the first of many rides for Lagoon called Rattlesnake Rapids. Since that time Dave has been the finest owner I have ever worked for--honest, open-minded, fair and forward thinking. I and my co-workers have always been extremely proud to say that we were Dave's contractor at the Park. During a time of personal tribulation in my life Dave was one of only a few friends who reached out and expressed support for me and I never forgot it.
I will truly miss him.
Guy Wadsworth
I met Dave some 25 years ago when my company (Wadsworth Brothers) built the first of many rides for Lagoon called Rattlesnake Rapids. Since that time Dave has been the finest owner I have ever worked for--honest, open-minded, fair and forward thinking. I and my co-workers have always been extremely proud to say that we were Dave's contractor at the Park. During a time of personal tribulation in my life Dave was one of only a few friends who reached out and expressed support for me and I never forgot it.
I will truly miss him.
Guy Wadsworth
I met Dave some 25 years ago when my company (Wadsworth Brothers) built the first of many rides for Lagoon called Rattlesnake Rapids. Since that time Dave has been the finest owner I have ever worked for--honest, open-minded, fair and forward thinking. I and my co-workers have always been extremely proud to say that we were Dave's contractor at the Park. During a time of personal tribulation in my life Dave was one of only a few friends who reached out and expressed support for me and I never forgot it.
I will truly miss him.
Guy Wadsworth
Lou
It has been some time since we’ve seen each other But was devastated to read of Dave’s passing. I have very fond memories of our association. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family!
Jim
Lou
It has been some time since we’ve seen each other But was devastated to read of Dave’s passing. I have very fond memories of our association. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family!
Jim
Lou
It has been some time since we’ve seen each other But was devastated to read of Dave’s passing. I have very fond memories of our association. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family!
Jim
Lou
It has been some time since we’ve seen each other But was devastated to read of Dave’s passing. I have very fond memories of our association. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family!
Jim
Lou
It has been some time since we’ve seen each other But was devastated to read of Dave’s passing. I have very fond memories of our association. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family!
Jim
Lou
It has been some time since we’ve seen each other But was devastated to read of Dave’s passing. I have very fond memories of our association. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family!
Jim
Lou
It has been some time since we’ve seen each other But was devastated to read of Dave’s passing. I have very fond memories of our association. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family!
Jim
Dave was a long-time friend to my family and I am saddened to learn of his passing. I wish to offer my deepest condolences to the entire Freed family.
In the early 80's, my brother, Shaun, worked alongside this tremendous man in Lagoon's ride's division and together they brought forth Colossus. Dave provided wonderful adventures that my brother got to experience -winter ski trips with staying in the family cabin and water skiing at Lake Powell in the summertime. My family was especially grateful that Shaun got to experience these moments before he was taken away from us at the young age of 19. Dave told my parents that Shaun was destined for great things within Lagoon management. He saw and knew the grateness in my brother.
Dave showed great kindness to my family over the years in providing passes and discounts so that my 6 kids would know their Uncle Shaun's "legacy" of the great coaster he helped build and first operate.
I am so grateful to him for this kindness.
It is my hope that Shaun and Dave are having a wonderful reunion and quite possibly planning the next great coaster that heaven has yet to see. 💙🙏
Dave was a long-time friend to my family and I am saddened to learn of his passing. I wish to offer my deepest condolences to the entire Freed family.
In the early 80's, my brother, Shaun, worked alongside this tremendous man in Lagoon's ride's division and together they brought forth Colossus. Dave provided wonderful adventures that my brother got to experience -winter ski trips with staying in the family cabin and water skiing at Lake Powell in the summertime. My family was especially grateful that Shaun got to experience these moments before he was taken away from us at the young age of 19. Dave told my parents that Shaun was destined for great things within Lagoon management. He saw and knew the grateness in my brother.
Dave showed great kindness to my family over the years in providing passes and discounts so that my 6 kids would know their Uncle Shaun's "legacy" of the great coaster he helped build and first operate.
I am so grateful to him for this kindness.
It is my hope that Shaun and Dave are having a wonderful reunion and quite possibly planning the next great coaster that heaven has yet to see. 💙🙏
Dave was a long-time friend to my family and I am saddened to learn of his passing. I wish to offer my deepest condolences to the entire Freed family.
In the early 80's, my brother, Shaun, worked alongside this tremendous man in Lagoon's ride's division and together they brought forth Colossus. Dave provided wonderful adventures that my brother got to experience -winter ski trips with staying in the family cabin and water skiing at Lake Powell in the summertime. My family was especially grateful that Shaun got to experience these moments before he was taken away from us at the young age of 19. Dave told my parents that Shaun was destined for great things within Lagoon management. He saw and knew the grateness in my brother.
Dave showed great kindness to my family over the years in providing passes and discounts so that my 6 kids would know their Uncle Shaun's "legacy" of the great coaster he helped build and first operate.
I am so grateful to him for this kindness.
It is my hope that Shaun and Dave are having a wonderful reunion and quite possibly planning the next great coaster that heaven has yet to see. 💙🙏
I worked in the rides department at lagoon for several years 79 - 82 I worked fairly closely with Dave for a couple of those years. He always treated his employees well, and I believe genuinely cared about all those hundreds of young kids that worked there every year. We went water skiing, we went to Lake Powell we had allot of fun and he will be missed. Those were some great years and allot of that was because of Dave and his passion for making Lagoon the best that he could. RIP Dave.
I worked in the rides department at lagoon for several years 79 - 82 I worked fairly closely with Dave for a couple of those years. He always treated his employees well, and I believe genuinely cared about all those hundreds of young kids that worked there every year. We went water skiing, we went to Lake Powell we had allot of fun and he will be missed. Those were some great years and allot of that was because of Dave and his passion for making Lagoon the best that he could. RIP Dave.