David Jared Lemon

David was born January 20, 1950, to Samuel and Verna Anderson in Nyssa, Oregon. His mother would later recollect that David was her easiest baby to deliver and described him as “a nice quiet boy.” That quiet and gentle nature would remain with him throughout his life.

David spent his early childhood in Nyssa, where his family lived in a basement home and operated a chicken hatchery. Life there provided plenty of work—and plenty of memorable childhood adventures.

In the summer of 1958, the family moved to Murtaugh, Idaho. He and his siblings worked for a local farmer hoeing and thinning sugar beets to help support the family. Some years later, the family moved to Blackfoot, Idaho where David later graduated from high school in 1968.

David was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a missionary in France from 1969 to 1971. After returning home, he attended Brigham Young University, where he studied psychology and it was there that he met Donna Beth White. Their courtship was short - a little over two months - and they were sealed together forever in the Provo Utah Temple on October 29, 1974.

They later moved to Texas, eventually settling in Odessa, where David and Donna built a life together and raised their 6 kids. He had a love of learning, especially about history. He had hundreds of books collected through the years, always marked up with a yellow highlighter.

Throughout his working years, David held a variety of jobs, including working as a record salesman, stockbroker, in the newspaper business, and as a DOT inspector. He was grateful for the friendships he formed with the people he worked alongside throughout his career, but no job or professional accomplishment ever meant as much to David as his family.

He loved supporting his children in their endeavors. He could often be found at ball games, concerts, and other activities, happy to cheer on his kids. He especially loved taking his boys camping. Those trips and the time spent together outdoors were some of the very best days of his life.

David loved sports. He enjoyed both playing and watching football and basketball and was an avid BYU fan for a long time. Since then he saw the light, repented, and consecrated his time and energy to cheering on Texas Tech.

David loved Christmas, particularly when there were children in the house. In fact, he often seemed more excited for Christmas morning than his kids were. He also loved working with and teaching the youth at church. He helped many young people build a foundation of faith in Jesus Christ. He was so good at making them feel loved.

To his children, he was the perfect dad for their family. He was patient, kind, supportive, and remarkably steady. He simply loved his family and was always there when they needed him. He gave freely without any strings attached and cared far less about possessions, status, or recognition than he did about the people he loved.

David loved to travel with his children and grandchildren. He loved seeing new places, laughing, joking, and simply having fun with his family. His children and grandchildren will remember not only his kindness and patience but also the laughter and happiness that came from being around him.

As he grew older, David endured more physical pain than he let others see. He rarely complained or talked about what he was going through. When he did, he often summed it up with his characteristic understatement: “Getting old sucks.”

David is now home with his beloved wife, Donna Beth Lemon, who passed away January 22, 2016, his oldest son, Brandon David Lemon, parents Samuel and Verna, and his brothers Gary and Hugh.

He is survived by his siblings, Jim, Carol (Leon), and Mary; his children, Taylor (Jill), Clayton, Tanner (Samantha), Mason (Amy), and Melissa (Rhett); and his 18 grandchildren, who loved him deeply and will miss him dearly: Caleb, Sarah, Elizabeth, Matthew, John, Nathan, Emma, Adam, Charlotte, Aaron, Alanna, Hugh, Brandon, Nolan, Wyatt, Finley, Joseph, and Dezzie.

We love you, Dad, and we miss you. We know that because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, that this isn’t goodbye - just a see you later.

A public viewing will be held at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home in Odessa, Texas, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with his family in attendance from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A private family graveside service will be held later in the week.