Alvin David Thomas

David Thomas of Sandy, Utah, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving wife, his children and grandchildren on March 26, 2026, at the age of 82. During the last couple of months of his life, he and his wife, Paula, lived with their son, Michael (Heather) Thomas in Saratoga Springs, Utah, where they received loving care from their children, grandchildren and eventually Dignity Home Health and Hospice.

Dave was born to Alvin and Violet Thomas in Birmingham, England. When he was four years old, his parents moved their family across the ocean and eventually to Salt Lake City, Utah so they could be sealed as a family in the Salt Lake City Temple as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Dave served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Central British Mission in 1962-1964. He married his high school sweetheart, Paula Larson on September 23, 1965, and they had six children together.

Dave was a life-long student and educator, completing his bachelor’s degree at The University of Utah and teaching Seminary and Institute for over 31 years. During that time, he went on to complete master’s and doctorate degrees at Brigham Young University all while being an amazing husband and father and even a marathoner. He was also a professor at The University of Phoenix for over 25 years. He especially loved working with the youth and young adults of The Church and had a part in the beginnings of the Especially For Youth program at BYU. He had the opportunity to travel to many places all over the world from riding camels in Egypt, walking where Jesus walked, visiting Mayan Temples to enthralling Tibetan locals with his size (6’1”) and fancy walking stick.

David is survived by his eternal sweetheart, Paula, his children, David (Catherine), Jim (Jeanette), Steven (Noelle Auclair), Jennifer (Mike Carter) Mindi (ElRey Jeppson), Michael (Heather), and Jonathan (Erin). His siblings, Richard, Karl (Connie), Harold (Rhonda), Charles (Dave), “T” Wilfred, Steve (Lori) and Valerie (Ed Murie). 33 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Violet and his brother, Christopher.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 3, 2026, at 11:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 9119 S. 1300 E. Sandy, UT 84094. Visitation will be held at the Cannon Mortuary, 2460 E. Bengal Blvd (7600 S) Thursday. April 2, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00pm and 10:00am the day of the service at the church.

Interment at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, UT. 84121.

The family would like to thank all those who helped cared for Dave in the past several months: Caroyln Tomititch with Intermountain Health Care Connect, Dr. Kevin Tschetter and Dignity Home Health and Hospice.