David Richey

David Lloyd Richey

1959 ~ 2021

David Lloyd Richey, son of Homer P. and Ethel L. Richey, passed away on April 7, 2021 at his home in Cottowood Heights, Utah. David was born on March 17, 1959 in Klamath Falls, Oregon, the ninth of ten children of his mother and father.

David was born with Down Syndrome, and at the time was not expected to survive his first year. But he defied expectations, and through the constant care and ministrations of his mother, he not only survived, but thrived. He was a loving person with a wonderful, happy spirit that brought joy into the lives of all he knew. He had a unique sense of humor and a mischievous streak that frequently flummoxed those who were in charge of his care and were trying to keep him out of trouble.

As David learned to make his way in the world, he spent time at the Training Center in American Fork. But he really came into his own when he moved into a group home run by TKJ Services in Salt Lake City. There he met and bonded with many great housemates, including his current mates Shon and Darrin. Under the care and supervision of TKJ he learned many life skills. He was a good cook. He loved numbers and filled notebook after notebook with mysterious calculations. He was a top-notch employee at South Valley Workshop (a sheltered workshop). He earned his own money and took numerous trips to Disneyland and other places.

David was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a regular attender at the Cottonwood Heights 5th Ward, where he often helped pass the sacrament.

David stayed close to his birth family with regular visits on holidays, but he was always happy to return to his group home and his friends there. Over the years, David had many health problems. He was severely diabetic, he was run over by a car, and he lost one eye to an infection. But he bore all of his afflictions with equanimity, until just recently when he seemed to tire. His relentless cheerfulness waned, and it was clear that he was ready to go home. Now he has returned to his loving family on the other side. And we who are left behind realize that for all the times we took care of him, we were paid many times over by the love and joy that he brought into our lives.

David is survived by his nine brothers and sisters, Margaret Workman (Dan), Roswell, GA; Charles L. Richey (Bette), Harrisville, UT; Stephen L. Richey (Georgia), Ogden, UT; Virginia Ricks (Tom), Mesa, AZ; Preston L. Richey (Sue), Pleasant View, UT; Irene Matthies (Rich), Bellevue, WA; Louise Unruh (Arnie), Kanab, UT; Blaine L. Richey (Laurie), Ogden, UT; and, Cathy Larsen (Craig), Sandy, UT. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family wishes to thank TKJ for being his surrogate family since 1986, and we particularly want to thank Kim Rodriquez, who has carefully guarded his health for the last 18 years.

Services will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 2 p.m. A private visitation for family and invited friends will be held on Monday at 12:30 p.m. Interment, Ogden City Cemetery alongside his parents.

Services will be live-streamed and available by scrolling to the bottom of David’s obituary page 

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