David D. Urie, Dvm

Richfield, Utah - David Duane Urie, died June 6, 2014 in Richfield, Utah, at age 87 of natural causes. He was born August 26, 1926, in Ogden, Utah, a son of Wood and Anna Miles Urie. He married the Beverly Jane Fife, December 22, 1948 in Cedar City, Utah, and their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple May 4, 1965. Beverly died February 3, 2010. On November 15, 2011, David married Athalia Hatch Jensen in Nephi, Utah. David graduated from Cedar City High School where he excelled academically. He was a gifted athlete and was a four-year letterman in football and basketball. He served his country in World War II in the United States Navy and was stationed in the Philippines. While attending college, during the summers, he worked as a “Gear Jammer” driving tour buses at Bryce, Zions, and the Grand Canyon. After the war, he attended Branch Agricultural College (SUU) and graduated from Utah State College (USU). In 1954 he graduated from Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, where he received a DVM. David practiced veterinary medicine in Richfield, Utah for 47 years. His veterinarian practice focused on large animals and he served farmers and ranchers throughout central and southern Utah and Eastern Nevada and was the veterinarian for the Salina Auction. He co-owned and operated the horseback concessions at Bryce Canyon and Zion’s National Parks. As a rancher, he enjoyed everything about raising cattle. For years he ran a 200 herd mother cow operation at the North Ponderosa, east of Richfield. He always began calving in mid-December and was proud of his calving rate; which was above 95%. As a veterinarian, David worked on numerous motion pictures and television productions in Southern Utah, including The Greatest Story Ever Told, McKenna’s Gold, and for many years on the set of the TV series Gunsmoke. He was actively involved in Republican politics in Sevier County. He served as a Sevier County Commissioner and was elected President of the Utah League of Cities and Towns. He was the Sevier County Chair for the gubernatorial campaign for Mitch Melich and the Congressional Campaigns for Lawrence Burton. David was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints. He served in a Bishopric and as a High Councilman. He enjoyed teaching gospel doctrine and had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He greatly loved his family and was a wonderful provider for them. Bev was his Managing Partner for 62 years and Athalia lovingly cared for him in his last years. He is survived by his three children, Shauna (Hooper) Knowlton, Joni Jane Urie, Sam (Christine) Urie; nine grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. He is also survived by Athalia’s children, Duane (Cindy) Jensen, Kendal (Ruth) Jensen, Kathryn (Randy) Gould, Eva (Thayne) Wilson, and her twenty grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren; brother Miles (Sarah) Urie and sister Pat (Grant) Harrison, both of St. George, Utah. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; his wife Beverly; his son-in-law, Dr. Michael Worley, MD., and his granddaughter Ashley Bithell. The family extends their appreciation to Stonehenge of Richfield for David’s care and comfort during these past two months. A special thanks goes to Bishop Rick Kunzler and President David Christensen for their compassionate love for David. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 13, 2014 at 11:00 AM in the Richfield East LDS Stake Center, 801 North 500 East. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home, 260 North 400 West in Richfield Thursday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. at the Stake Center Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to services. Burial will be Friday afternoon at 3:00 P.M. in the Cedar City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.