David Howard Shea

David Howard Shea, age 71, left this world the morning of August 19th, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He’d spent a brief, intense battle with cancer surrounded by his family, until he was ready to join his mother, “Muzz,” who had passed a year prior. 

David will be forever remembered for his singular personality. Born in Pomona, California, he was true to the sixties generation—a free thinker, a perpetual tinkerer, iconoclastic in his politics. His childhood passion for mischief gave way to deadpan humor in adulthood. He preferred to spend much of his time alone but always stayed closely connected with his family, particularly as he cared patiently for his mother, who shared his fierce independence. 

His career took many turns, including equipment maintenance in the U.S. Army, stage lighting for the Claremont Dinner Theater in Southern California, hospital maintenance, photography, and Union Pacific railroad electrical work. He spent nearly his entire life as a bachelor who devoted his time to eclectic interests ranging from yard projects to rock-hounding, astronomy, marine exploration, computer programming, and tending to his pets, notably including a snake named Noodle and two Maine Coon cats named Barney and Fred. 

His material needs were few. He worked hard, never complained, smoked Pyramid cigarettes, and wore fresh button-downs when thus urged by his sisters. His wry wit and familiar presence are greatly missed. He is survived by his sisters, Robbin Bonham and Marcy Shea-Boren, his brother-in-law, Barry Bonham, and his nieces and nephews, Bethany Lopez, Sean Crotty, Daniel Lopez, Kamille Lopez, Aimee Lopez, and Bradley Earl. He is, by now, in the company of his parents, William Shea and Nanette Shea.