David Arthur Pledger

David Arthur Pledger

On a hot summer day, 25 July 1929, our husband, father and grandfather, David Arthur Pledger was born, at his parents'', Arthur G and Sarah Johns Pledgers, house in Ogden on 8th street. He passed away on a beautiful autumn day, 15 Oct 2013 surrounded by his loving family that adored him. Dad was the 5th of 7 children and the first son born to his parents. His father had his own bee and honey business and was so happy to have a son, the first thing he did was change the name on his truck from "Pledger''s Honey" to "Pledger and Son''s Honey". Dad worked hard all of his life and had many early memories of working with his father and brother in the bee fields. Dad lost his mother at 10 years old. Tragically, she died in his arms.

Dad graduated from Ogden High School in 1947 and went on to study Diesel Mechanics at Weber State College. He joined the Air Force in 1950 during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1954. Dad was proud to be an American and loved his country. In 1951 Dad met the love his life, Marilyn Anna Russell and they were married 1 Dec 1951 and in 1961 sealed their union and family, by getting married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. In September of 1952 they bought their first home. It was World War II housing in Washington Terrace. By 1955, dad was working two full time jobs at Swift and Company and also American Can. He was working 16-20 hours a day to make ends meet. Mom and dad bought their second house in Roy. In 1958 they built a new, larger home in northern Roy where they ultimately raised their family and enjoyed the friendship of neighbors and their LDS ward. They eventually moved to Kaysville and then Layton. Dad worked for Swift and Co for 22 years, until the Ogden Plant closed. He transferred to the Phoenix Arizona plant, living alone in their small travel trailer for 4 months before deciding they didn''t want to live in Arizona. He then hired on with Consolidated Freightways and worked for another 22 years, retiring in 1993. Dad received the Utah Motor Transport Association Driver of the Month and also the Two Million Mile Safe Driving Award without an accident.

After retiring mom and dad bought a fifth- wheel and traveled the United States. They also enjoyed a trip to Hawaii and a cruise to the Caribbean. Dad was an active member of the LDS Church. Dad loved to camp, hunt and fish, especially with his son. He also was a Brigham Young University and Utah Jazz Fan. But, most of all, dad loved his family. He loved being surrounded by his family and took pride in all of us. For 20 years, he would look forward to meeting with his brothers and sisters, every Thursday, for lunch until he got sick on Thanksgiving of 2011. Dad loved life and tried hard to live it right up until the end. He will be remembered as a strong, hardworking, honest, family man that his family respected and will always cherish. Dad and mom accomplished much to be thankful for and proud of in their lives and they have achieved what most people can only wish for.

Dad is survived by his wife Marilyn, Daughter Janae, Son Curtis Arthur (Donna) Pledger and Daughter Kelly Kay Bone. He has 7 grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren. He is also survived by one Sister, Meriam Stevens and a brother Richard Pledger. Passing before him were his parents, 3 sisters; Donna Brinkerhoff, Helen Summers and Glenna Allen and a brother Robert Pledger.

The family would like to thank the staff at Legacy Village in Layton for the compassionate and loving care they gave dad, off and on, throughout the last 2 years.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 1 p.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Friends may visit family Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 11:45 to 12:45 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.