David Neil Kooyman

*Dave's funeral service can be viewed at the following link: CLICK HERE TO WATCH SERVICE VIA ZOOM*

David Neil Kooyman, the best husband, father, grandfather and friend imaginable, a world traveler, and master of making everyone laugh even in the toughest moments, passed away on December 27th surrounded by his family. Born May 19, 1950 in Salt Lake City, he lived his 74 years with unmatched humor, love, resilience, and faith.

Dave was raised in Salt Lake, where he had many boyhood adventures. He loved to tell stories of his childhood pranks and shenanigans. He graduated from South High School, where he played basketball and made lifelong friends. After high school, he followed his ancestral roots and his father’s footsteps by serving an LDS mission in the Netherlands. 

For 52 years, Dave was married to Joleene, his beloved wife. Together, they raised eight children who inherited his quick wit and love for life. Boasting a formidable 25 grandchildren, Grandpa Dave reveled in his role as grandfather and loved nothing more than supporting his grandkids in all their pursuits, and the chaos and joy that came with a growing family. 

Dave spent much of his career in the travel industry, a perfect match for his adventurous spirit and love for connecting with people all over the world. He didn’t just work in travel – he lived it, amassing a collection of tales from around the globe that could entertain for hours. He made a lifetime of memories traveling with his family, from the beaches of Hawaii to the cities of Europe. He passed his passion for travel along to his globetrotting children and grandchildren. Later, he transitioned to the medical field, becoming CEO of Western Intermountain Lithotripsy, where he combined his drive and business skills with his ability to connect with people to make a lasting impact.

He instilled a love of sports in his children and grandchildren. If he wasn’t watching them on the court or at the ballpark, you’d find him cheering on the Utah State Aggies with his family at countless basketball and football games – and he never left early, come snow, rain, sleet, or hail… or an impending ugly loss! Dave was a true-blooded Aggie, serving many years in the Big Blue Booster Club. In recent years, Dave loved watching the Aggies, the Atlanta Braves, and the Denver Broncos from the comfort of his recliner. 

He was active in the community and made friends far and wide as he served in the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, on city council and as mayor of Hyde Park. He organized and ran numerous youth sports programs for many years, and was pivotal in the funding and building of the Eccles Ice Arena. Aside from Joleene and sports, other loves of his life included Snelgrove’s ice cream, Oreos, a cold Coca-Cola, and marshmallow Peeps.

Dave was a genuine disciple of Christ and a friend to all he met. He had an extraordinary gift for making everyone he interacted with feel valued, seen, and loved. He loved his Savior and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his whole life. He served in a variety of church callings and was lovingly known by the kids at church as “Brother Jolly Rancher” – he always had a pocketful!

Incredibly, through his 5+ year journey with lung cancer, Dave never lost his faith, hope, nor his ability to make people laugh, right up until the end. Whether he was cracking jokes with nurses or delivering a perfectly timed one-liner to his family, his humor remained unshakable, even as he faced life’s greatest challenges. He made a lasting impression and built meaningful relationships with his doctors and nurses, and leaves a legacy to the medical world as global patient #1 for multiple trial drugs.

His family legacy runs deep and wide. He is survived by his loving wife, Joleene; his eight children, Heidi (Jeff) Hall, Kristi Kooyman (John Spina), Michael (Stephanie) Kooyman, Steven (TaeLyn) Kooyman, Staci (Ryan) Sorensen, Jeffrey (Rachel) Kooyman, Tori (BJ) Hansen, Andrew (Mikaelyn) Kooyman; and his 25 grandchildren, who are determined to carry on his legacy of laughter and love. He is also survived by his brothers Robert (Pam) and Paul (RaeLynn) Kooyman, and brother-in-law Frank Uhrhan, as well as dozens of nieces and nephews who adored Uncle Dave. He was preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Susanne Kooyman, and sisters Kae (Kay) Curtis and Annette Uhrhan. 

We will celebrate Dave’s extraordinary life – and his unrivaled sense of humor – on Friday, January 3rd at 12:00 pm at the Nibley West Stake Center, 1584 West 3200 South in Nibley, Utah, with viewings at the same location on Thursday, January 2nd, 5:30 - 7:30 pm and Friday, January 3rd, 9:30 - 11:30 am. Interment will follow at the Hyde Park Cemetery. Join us as we laugh through our tears, just as Dave would have wanted.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation (give.huntsmancancer.org) or just sharing a laugh with your loved ones and remembering a man who taught us all to find joy and keep faith, even in the hard times.

Rest in peace, Dave… Dad… Grandpa... You showed us how to live, how to love, and how to laugh until the very end.