David Charles Eckersley

David Charles Eckersley, 70, passed away on April 3rd, 2021 at University of Utah Medical Center.  He was the husband of Drusilla Eckersley.  They shared 40 years together as best friends. 

Dave was born January 10, 1951 in Salt Lake City, Utah to his parents, Elsie Citerio Street and Lehi Mellegers. His earliest fond memories were of living with his Grandpa and Grandma Citerio.

He joined the ROTC in high school mainly as something to do during school; however, this greatly influenced him, and he enlisted in the US Navy after graduation from high school.  He served his country valiantly and with great pride from October 1969 to March 1973.

It was during his time in the US Navy that he married Denise Lundquist with whom he had one son, Scott.  Denise and Dave later divorced.

After being discharged from the Navy, Dave began working for the Tooele Army Depot Fire Department which was the start of a 27-year career in Public Safety.  He served as a front-line hero for the public as a police officer, EMT, and Firefighter in American Fork and Orem. It was during this time that Dave transformed into Santa Claus and with his Mrs. Claus by his side they spread Christmas joy to those in need. In the year 2000 he retired from his final position as Fire Inspector for Orem City.

Dave met Drusilla Perry Dimick while he was volunteering for the American Fork Ambulance Association. They soon found each other filling a void that was present in their lives.  They were married on April 12, 1980 and later sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.

Dave dreamed of living in a cabin in the mountains as he loved to be in nature, fish, camp and hunt.  He was an avid coin collector and enjoyed panning for gold, although he never struck it rich.  He loved to garden and can food, which he picked up from his Grandma & Grandpa Citerio.  He also had a passion for cooking, especially with garlic.  Many fond memories have been made around a large pot spaghetti lovingly prepared and cooked by Grandpa Dave.  With his love of cooking, came a love of eating.  He was often teased that the smellier or weirder the food, the more he would love it.

Most of all Dave loved being with his love, Dru, his kids, his grandkids and his great grandkids.  He found going on outings, sharing a meal, playing games or even just watching a movie with his loved ones to be one of the most special things in his life. 

Dave spent his life in service to others, always looking for whom he could help.  He touched the lives of all whom he interacted with and in turn may we find those who we can help in honor of our beloved husband, father, grandpa and friend.

He is survived by his wife Dru Eckersley; his brothers: John (Eva) Eckersley, and Gordon (Vivian) Eckersley.  His sisters: Judy (John) Murray, Debbie (Jeff) Shinn, Michelle Mellegers, and Tammy (Kevin) House.  His children: Skylar (Jenny) Dimick, Todd (Tammy) Dimick, Leslie (Kevin) Hull, and Scott (Marion) Eckersley. As well as his 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Ida and Carlo Citerio, his uncle John Citerio, his mother Elsie Citerio Street, and his father Lehi Mellegers.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Harrisville 8th Ward Chapel at 113 Child Avenue in Ogden, with a viewing prior from 9:30 to 10:30 am.  The Funeral service will be live streamed on Dave’s obituary page at www.myers-mortuary.com to watch scroll to the bottom on Dave’s obituary page.

Interment will be at Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park in Salt Lake City on April 14th at 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements entrusted to Myers Ogden Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Primary Children’s Hospital.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Charles Eckersley, please visit our floral store.