Henry David Haygood

Henry David Haygood, 80, passed away peacefully in Bountiful, Utah on Saturday June 14, 2025. He was born to James Ahimus and Marie Binford Haygood on January 7, 1945, in Atlanta, Georgia.

When David was only 2+ years, his father took his family to New York for employment. They weren’t there long before his father’s sudden death in 1947. His mother returned to Atlanta with her three young children, Robert, Ann, and David. His mother, with no means of employment, had to rely on her aunts to help raise these young children. Her only marketable skill was sewing and so she went to work supporting her family. Dave spent his youth in Atlanta until he graduated from high school.

Shortly after high school David joined the Air Force. He spent time at boot camp and then was stationed at Cape Kennedy in Florida for two years, where he developed an interest in law enforcement. He was then deployed to Europe where he served the next two years in Belgium and Germany serving in Security Forces.

During David’s youth he had many questions about his Dad – where he was and would he ever see him again. While he was in Germany on patrol one evening with another airman, he expressed his desires to know about his Father. His friend offered a book that he suggested might answer his questions and it did. Dave wanted to know more. So, his friend introduced him to the missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was convinced after receiving the missionary lessons that he had found what he was looking for. He returned home from Germany in 1967 and joined the Church shortly thereafter. David was very passionate about sharing the gospel and so he was called to serve in the North British Mission for two years.

While serving in England, he met Scott Miles who was also a missionary and happened to be at his flat when Scott received a package from home. That’s where he first saw a picture and heard the voice of Scott’s sister, Jennifer. He told his companion, “I’m going to marry that girl.” So, he wrote her; she wrote back; and the rest is history. He went home to Georgia but soon visited Jennifer in Salt Lake. It was a long-distance relationship until he proposed and decided to move to Salt Lake. It was hard to leave family and friends in Georgia but he felt it was the right decision. David drove to Salt Lake with his Mom and arrived about three days before the big day. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 3, 1971. David was a loving and devoted husband all his life and treated Jennifer like a queen.

Their life together was wonderful but as is normal, it included challenges. They both wanted children, but it didn’t happen as soon as they wanted. They prayed for a miracle and through adoption were blessed with a sweet baby boy who was born on April 8, 1977. With 24 hours’ notice they scrambled to get everything ready to welcome Ryan David Haygood to their family.

It was quite a while before they were able to receive the blessing of another child. Fortunately, on December 14, 1986, another baby was born, and David & Jennifer were thrilled to welcome Andrew Miles Haygood to their home and lives.

Dave had several hobbies. He loved history and read many books. He especially liked historical fiction, but he would read just about anything. Any book he read was purchased or sometimes loaned by a friend, but he didn’t borrow them from the library. He wanted his own books! He loved people and would strike up a conversation with just about anyone (much to the chagrin of his boys in later years.) The year between his Air Force service and mission, David worked part-time for a local photographer in Atlanta (he was not just a boss but was like a father to David.) David was bitten by the photography bug and from then on, he was rarely seen without a camera, either around his neck or at least close by. Some of his hobbies were because Jennifer’s family was involved in sports Dave hadn’t tried, like skiing, tennis, and golf, so he gladly joined in. David decided early in their marriage that he wanted to go on a family vacation at least once a year. So, they did; their favorite trips being to Hawaii, McCall Idaho, and Lake Powell.

David was employed by the DeKalb County Police Department in Atlanta, until he moved to Utah. He worked as Church Security for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a couple of years. His love for photography gave him an opportunity to take portraits and wedding pictures for family and friends. He opened his own business in Bountiful and then about a year later joined two other photographers whose business was in West Jordan. Things didn’t work out well with one of his partners, so Dave went back to his other profession – law enforcement. After the Police Academy graduation he joined the Davis County Sheriff’s Department, where he worked in various capacities until he retired in 2005.

David served in many callings for the Church, but his favorites involved the youth. He was a Young Men’s president and had several Sunday School classes of young people over the years. But his favorite calling was Scoutmaster. He was terrified at first because his only scouting experience was cub scouts when he was about 10 years old. But he quickly discovered that with help from seasoned scouters, he learned how to be a good scout right along with the boys. He also learned that what the boys needed most was someone who loved them as they were, encouraged them to be better, and, by example, showed them how to love and serve others. He loved those boys!

Dave and Jennifer were able to serve a mission together after Jennifer retired. They truly enjoyed the California Riverside Mission from August 2011 to January 2013. Many lifelong friendships were forged there, and they are grateful they were able to serve when Dave was still healthy.

David suffered with mobility issues for several years. About a year ago, Jennifer was not able to give him the care he needed at home, so it became necessary to place him in a care center where he could have 24-hour attention. Fortunately, Jennifer was able to be with him every day. It was only the last week that he got very ill, and his body started to shut down – it was tired of all the struggles. Through all his health battles he remained positive, appreciative of the care, and still cracking jokes. His family will miss him terribly but are grateful he is whole and no longer in pain. The family would like to thank all his caregivers, physical therapists, and his Hospice nurse for their kind service to Dave.

David is survived by his wife Jennifer; sons Ryan and Andrew (Tylene); Grandchildren Collin, Ayden, Ethan, Isabella, Brigham, and William; and his sister Ann (Claude) Shadix. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Robert A. Haygood .

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday June 21, 2025, at the Dry Creek Ward Chapel, 720 East 550 North, Bountiful. Friends may visit with family on Friday June 20, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary 727 North 400 East, and on Saturday 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the Chapel.

Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery.

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