In Loving Memory

Norman David "Dave" Gilchrist

Norman David Gilchrist , 84, passed away surrounded by his children on Friday, December 10, 2021.  David was born in Ontario, Oregon on May 26, 1937.  The fourth of six children, he grew up on the family farm near Ontario where they raised sugar beets, onions, and potatoes.  In 1953 the family moved to Quincy, Washington with high hopes for better farming. As a youth, he was involved in music and sports, with a love of baseball.  He graduated from Quincy High School in 1955.  Following a few more years working on the farm, David served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the London England Mission from 1959-1960.  After his missionary service he attended Brigham Young University, graduating in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics.  During his years at BYU, he met and married Marilyn Sanders of Salt Lake City.  They married on August 6, 1963 in the Salt Lake Temple.  After graduation, the couple moved to Quincy, Washington where David continued farming with his father. During this time their first three children were born.   Since he didn't really like farming, in 1967 he took a job as a loan officer for the National Bank of Commerce in Waterville, Washington. The younger three children were born while they lived there.  In 1976, the bank transferred him to Colville, Washington where he lived for the next 41 years.  He continued in banking for a number of years, then finished his working career at Stevens County Title.  David was known as a gifted singer, and enjoyed singing as a soloist, and sang in many choirs. He and Marilyn passed their love of music on to their children.  In his later years, as his hearing deteriorated, it saddened him that he couldn't hear well enough to sing as he always had.

David loved his family and encouraged his children to develop their skills and talents, supporting them by attending countless baseball games, piano recitals, band and choir concerts (surviving 6 kids worth of beginning band), and other events.  He also loved the Lord, and found joy in serving others, both at church, and in the community at large.  He had opportunities to serve in various capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as a Bishop, High Councilor, and Patriarch.  He was well known and loved for his happy, friendly nature and his willingness to pitch in whenever and wherever help was needed.  He had a great sense of humor, and his laughter was contagious.

In 2013, David and Marilyn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  Marilyn passed away a few months later. In 2017, he moved to Utah to be with his children.  Even as his health declined, he continued to make a positive impression on all who knew him.  He will be missed by so many.

David is preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, his parents Robert Gilchrist and Mary Bushman Gilchrist , his brothers Bobby and Curt, and his sister Claire.  He is survived by his brothers Gordon and Stan, his children Kelly Gilchrist , Steve Gilchrist (Christy), Stacy McCarrey (Scott), Jon Gilchrist (Jennifer), Liz Jensen (Shane), and Mike Gilchrist (Barb), thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held Wednesday, December 15 from 6-8 pm at the Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, UT 84095.  Funeral Services will be held on December 21, 2021 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Colville, WA at 11:00 AM with a viewing beforehand at 10:00 am.