David Paul Richardson (76), born December 25th 1946 in Renton, Washington passed away January 10th 2023 of natural causes in Mesa, AZ.
David was a skilled builder and contractor during his working life. He owned several businesses mainly in the construction field but was also involved in landscape design, oil refinery structures and even a swing set manufacturing company.
The majority of his career was in building post-frame constructed garages, horse barns, roping arenas, homes and cabins. For many of the years he and his brothers either worked with each other or for each other. He and his crews built thousands of buildings over the years with projects completed in every state west of the Mississippi River mostly in Washington, Nevada and Utah. For decades yet to come and as part of his legacy, his buildings will continue to serve his customers and future owners for the various purposes they were designed for.
He would often cite stories of projects he worked on in the past and still remember what many of the customers did for a living along with small details that he somehow recalled. Most of the time he would come away from a completed project with a new customer or friend that would stay in contact with him for years.
In the lead up to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah David worked as a Superintendent for a couple large construction companies that were in charge of constructing the venues for the winter games. He worked on Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah where the opening and closing ceremonies were held, the Olympic Speed Skating Oval and the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, Utah. David also worked on the LDS Convention Center in Salt Lake City that was completed in April 2000.
David married Lora Donley on March 17th, 1995 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Among David’s best attributes were his patience, understanding and sense of humor. He was naturally gifted at communicating with anyone. He loved animals and had many cherished pets over the years that obviously returned the love as he was the favorite person of the family to them. He enjoyed many interests in life ranging from cars, boating, fishing, camping, concerts, food and anything sweet that he could find. David was an avid fan of his beloved Seattle Seahawks. He and his family attended many games over the years and celebrated the 2013 Super Bowl win in downtown Seattle.
He is preceded in death by mother Betty Lou Ecklund, father Stephen Richardson, step-father Nick Nickerson, brothers; Grant, Rudy, Victor, sister Suzzie (Baker), mother in-law Lucille Donley, father in-law Ralph Donley and sister in-laws; Jan and Lynette.
He is survived by wife Lora (Donley) Richardson, son Denton Donley, half-brother Todd Nickerson, 3 sisters in-law; Rynda Monson, Tova Taylor, Karla Castillo along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. His presence, strength and love will be profoundly missed.
A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later time.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
I remember my uncle David as a big man with a big heart and sense of humor. He would squeeze my hand until it hurt lol just to show he cared, just something that he did. I’m gonna miss you uncle David…. I know we will see eachother again in a better life, I love you.
I’ve known Dave for 4+ years. Dave is the father of a very good friend (Denton). We all would get together and watch his favorite football team~The Seattle Seahawks. He was so kind and easy to talk to. We will miss him dearly and I hope his wife Lora and son Denton, feel the love, healing prayers and comforting hugs.
I have known David for about 40 years. Always a joy to be around! He was a wonderful husband, father and friend. He built the outbuilding in my back yard. Prayers go out to Lora (Stella) and Denton!