David Smith North

David Smith North, age 82, passed away at his home in West Jordan, Utah, in early October 2025 (born May 30, 1943-October 4, 2025). The third of four sons, he was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Memorial Day to Dallas Warren North and Mary Smith. He was a great-grandson of Joseph F. Smith and Julina Lambson, in addition to many other Utah pioneers.

David overcame a long struggle with a childhood foot and leg bone disorder to be named one of 11 First Team All-State Football players in 1960, playing under LaVell Edwards at Granite High School. He earned 7 letters in football, basketball, and track, and placed in the State finals in the discus. At BYU, he played under three head football coaches and was offered four different scholarships, two of which he accepted. This was well before the programs tracked missionaries. Dave was twice named an All-Church Volleyball player. He played BYU volleyball on a third-ranked team with US team great John Lowell, Jon Stanley, and John Ahlstrom. He organized, coached, and played for the Utah Volleyball Club, doing half-time demonstrations in the Salt Palace and the Huntsman Center. The UVC was the first Open team from Utah to qualify for the National Championships by defeating the host Salt Lake YMCA and BYU in sanctioned competitions. Pedro Velasco, a former US Team captain and coach at BYU, invited Dave to be his doubles partner, winning the first Utah State championship. Dave twice earned the Gold medal at the Huntsman World Senior Games, once with his team, the Golden Spikes from Utah, and once with Cologne, Germany, who invited him to play with them.

Dave faithfully served in the military for 8 ½ years in the US Army Reserve. He served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 2 ½ years in Lima, Peru, and Arica, Chile, of the Andes Mission.

Dave married Margaret Louise White on January 28, 1966, in the Salt Lake Temple. Margaret passed away on January 10, 2010. They had five children: Bruce (Loralee), Marilyn (James Clark), Bradley (Rebecca), John (Carolina), and Amanda (Zachary Polak). They had sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandson. He is survived by his brother, Jerry, and sisters-in-law Dee and Barbara North. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brothers Richard and Brent.

Dave worked for 6 years until the age of 15 on a poultry farm at 25 cents an hour, with a raise to 30 cents. During high school, he worked construction. After his mission, Margaret’s father got him a job at the Kennecott Smelter. After ten years of off-and-on schooling, while raising a family and helping Margaret graduate from BYU, Dave went to work for 8 years as an estimator, purchasing agent, and contract administrator for Prowswood, Inc. Dave then worked for 4 years for an architectural firm, Dean L. Gustavson, Assoc., as a project manager. Dave then worked for the U of U as a campus planning project manager, where he retired after 26 years. Dave represented the U of U as a member of the Utah Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, which submits building codes to the state legislature. He was elected as the association president. Dave was also elected Chairman of the West Jordan Citizens’ Committee and a co-chairman of the Dixie Valley HOA.

Dave served in the church for his entire life. His callings included athletic, missionary, ward, and stake positions, including bishopric counselor, high council, high priest group leader, Sunday School president, and temple ordinance worker. He was a high priest for 45 years. Dave had countless other wonderful experiences, such as climbing Lone Peak, and returned to South America several times. He donated a kidney to his sister-in-law, Ann White Pearson. His greatest trial was the health struggle and early passing of his eternal, faithful, loving, and accomplished companion, Margaret. He remarried on April 20, 2015, to Silvia Escarate Retemal. They divorced two years later but remained great friends for the rest of their lives. His last known conversation was with Silvia.

Funeral services will be held at the Dixie Valley Chapel, 6500 S. Dixie Drive (3655 W.), West Jordan, Utah, on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 11:00 am. A viewing will be held at the chapel from 9:00-10:45 am prior to the service. Interment will take place at Memorial Redwood Cemetery at 6500 S. Redwood Rd., West Jordan, Utah.