David Burton Workman
November 19, 1939 – September 28, 2023
David Burton Workman returned to his loving Heavenly Father on September 28, 2023.
David was born on November 19, 1939, in Laramie, Wyoming to Kendrick and Mary Ellen Burton Workman, along with six sisters. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many callings, including Primary and Nursery leader, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Sunday School, and High Priest Quorum. He served a mission in the Southwest Indian Mission for two and a half years and loved the Navajo people.
He met the love of his life, Nita Seely Hardy in July 1962 and they were married on November 10th of that year in the Manti, Utah Temple. Together they had thirteen children, ten daughters and three sons. Monday nights were always reserved for Family Home Evening, which were spent kayaking, picnicking, planting and weeding the huge garden, hiking, movies, and building a family. Thursdays were Dad’s hamburger night with an open door for all neighbors and friends who wanted to join in on the craziness.
David went to the University of Utah and Weber State College, graduating in 1969 as a manufacturing engineer. He was hired by Sperry Univac, and there became a tool designer and a troubleshooter. He built a cleaning machine for core stacks, and fiber optics, and received a patent for his work.
When serving as Scout Master, he helped the boys build 38 kayaks, snowshoes, and hotdog sticks. They enjoyed many activities on the water and in the snow. He loved working with the youth. He helped many boys and dads work on pine wood derby cars. He loved helping others with their projects and enjoyed seeing them accomplish their goals.
David could fix anything even when it couldn’t be fixed. At an early age he loved to build things. He would tear things apart just to see how they worked. He spent a lot of time with his “brother” Alice until she turned 12 years old, and decided she really was a girl.
David is survived by his wife Nita and 12 of their children, Sarah Workman, Rebecca (CW) Johnson, Paula Workman, Raymond (Kitti) Workman, Dianna (Todd) Simpson, Judy (Jeff) Brown, Heidi (Dale) Chappell, Karen (Tim) Daynes, Amy (Spencer) Shumway, Emily (Rob) Willardson, Mary (Paul) Cates, Moroni Workman. He is also survived by 38 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren, five sisters, and many nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his son Spencer, his parents Kendrick and Mary Ellen Burton Workman, Ruth Musser Workman, and sisters Minerva Workman and Mary Jeanne Jenness.
A viewing will be held Monday, October 2, 2023, at the Malad Stake Center from 6:30-8pm, 1250 North 1100 West, Malad, Idaho. The funeral will be held Tuesday, October 3rd at the same building at 11 am, with a brief viewing that morning from 9-10:30am. Interment will be at the Malad City Cemetery.