On Monday, June 8, David John Shaw lost a brave battle to diabetes and end-stage kidney failure. He passed away peacefully in the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center with his family at his side. He was only 48 years old. David was born to Harold and Rhoana Shaw on May 23, 1972, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
He grew up in Sandy where he was so proud of his undefeated soccer team, where he was the goalie. David played offensive tackle for the Richfield High School football team. After high school and a year of college, David served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Canary Islands, Spain. This was one of the greatest joys of his life. David then graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a minor in Spanish. He also procured a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Utah and a Master of Law with a specialty in international telecommunications law from Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland. While at the University of Utah, he met and married the love of his life, Kathleen Ann Montsinger. They were married on March 24, 1997. Together they lived a full life. They traveled to Europe many times, ate the best butter ever in the Eiffel Tower, had churros and chocolate in the Canary Islands, flew over a volcano, and the Grand Canyon, walked along the Berlin Wall, and saw the Norwegian Fjords.
He lived life to the fullest. David also enjoyed a fruitful career in law as an assistant city attorney for the City of Murray and then as a partner at Kirton McConkie. He had a particularly inspiring passion for fiber optic municipal broadband. He even obtained a patent for the idea behind the UTOPIA project. He won many awards for his work and was asked to speak around the world at many conferences. He was at the top of his game when he got sick. The greatest joy of his life was his children. He spent 7 years coaching his son’s football team and loved every second of it. He danced with his daughters, cried when he heard Emily play the piano, and sang silly songs with Mila, “her only best friend.” He told stupid Dad jokes all of the time and would sing at the piano with all of his children. Throughout David’s life, he endured more pain and suffering than any ten people combined. He used to say, “When it is so bad, all I do is try and get to the next breath.” He fought so hard to stay with his family. But we know that he has been assigned to help us from the other side. He was promised that he would be at every major event in the children’s lives. As our hearts break, we want you to remember him in his own words, “Life is life and fun is fun. But all is quiet when the goldfish dies.” He was our big goldfish and it is so quiet now. He is survived by his wife Kathy, children Alex, Ellie, Emily, Adam, and Mila, parents Harold and Rhoana, sister Noel (Ryan) Schone, and dog Biscuit. He will be deeply missed.
His funeral will be Saturday, June 13th at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary in Millcreek Utah at 11 am. The services will be streamed at www.facebook.com/WasatchLawnMemorial. There will be a viewing beforehand from 9-10:45, and then a short graveside service afterward also at Wasatch Lawn. Then there will be an end of life celebration in his honor at his Stake Center in Lindon – 1050 E. 100 N. Lindon, UT 84042. Please come to that. He wanted a party for his funeral.
We will wear masks and have social distancing to keep you safe.
