Dr. David Royal Warden Jr., “Doc”, Army Colonel (Retired), passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026, at the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home in Ogden, Utah, following a difficult final struggle. He was surrounded by family. He was 88 years old.
The next morning, an extraordinary thunderstorm rolled across the valleys of the Wasatch Mountains and produced hail the size of Golfballs. They determined that it was an EF2 tornado that touched down just East of his house in Fruit Heights. Almost as if announcing that one of the great ones had left us.
David was born on January 6, 1938, in Bluefield, West Virginia, the fourth-born and fifth child of David Royal Warden and Hazal Ramage Warden. He was told that if his father had not died when he was four years old, he would have been “spoiled rotten” and never would have amounted to a thing. His father died suddenly in 1942 of what was determined to be a “heart attack,” leaving his mother to raise the children still at home. David’s older adopted brother was serving in the Air Force as a bomber pilot, flying missions over Germany during World War II. David, the youngest and baby brother of three older sisters, suddenly became the man of the house.
His mother had a profound influence on his life. She had received a classical education growing up in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and instilled in David the ancient Greek ideal of a “man with a noble purpose”—to live to the highest pitch of human performance physically, morally, and intellectually. From as far back as he could remember, she encouraged him to develop all three.
David Royal Warden Jr. amounted to much.
As a young man, David excelled in nearly everything he attempted. He was valedictorian of Beaver High School, an outstanding Bible scholar, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He participated in football, basketball, track, and baseball, eventually concentrating primarily on football. His senior year, he was team captain and was named All-County, All-State, and All-American. He played varsity basketball for three years and won first place in the shot put and discus in his county, placing second in the state.
He chose Davidson College in North Carolina from more than forty college and university football scholarship offers.
At Davidson, David played first-team football all four years, starting and playing in all but three games. He was named to the All-Southern Conference Scholastic Team for two years and served as team captain his senior year. He received the Armfield Blocking Trophy. He also competed on the varsity track team for three years and participated in varsity swimming and tennis. His senior year, he received the Tommy Peters Memorial Trophy, recognizing him as the best all-around athlete at Davidson College.
In 1960, David reflected on the influences that had shaped his life:
“Through the wise guidance and encouragement of my mother, my many teachers and coaches, and others, I have achieved some slight success physically, morally and intellectually.”
On March 26, 1960, David married his high school sweetheart, “Miss Bluefield,” Mary Lou McNabb, in Charlottesville, Virginia. On May 30, 1960, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserves. He received an Army Senior Medical Student Scholarship and was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, graduating in 1964. During those years, David and Mary Lou welcomed their first two sons.
David and Mary Lou later made the monumental decision to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were eventually sealed to each other and children for eternity in the Oakland California Temple.
During the next several years, their growing family lived in Tacoma, Washington; Berkeley, California; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Ewa Beach, Hawaii; and Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
David’s military training was extensive. Among his many schools and assignments, he completed the Army Medical Officer Training Course, Basic Airborne School, where he was the Honor Graduate, Ranger School, Airborne Jumpmaster School, RECONDO School at Fort Campbell, where he also was the Honor Graduate, and the Army Medical Officer Advanced Course. He also attended the United States Air Force School of Aviation Medicine and the U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
In 1965, as a Captain, Dr. Warden was appointed Division Surgeon for the 101st Airborne Division. He subsequently volunteered for deployment to Vietnam.
In June 1967, he was assigned as Battalion Surgeon with the 269th Aviation Battalion at Cu Chi, Vietnam. In December of that year, he was promoted to Major and assigned as Group Surgeon with the 12th Aviation Group at Long Binh.
During his service in Vietnam, Dr. Warden was awarded numerous military honors, including four Air Medals for acts of heroism and outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight. He often spoke of the many hours he spent flying helicopters throughout Vietnam with his close friend, Wayne “Crash” Coe. He later joined the VHPA, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.
David’s experiences in combat stayed with him for the rest of his life. He was eventually diagnosed with PTSD. Yet even through his own struggles, he found ways to serve others. He became a source of professional and personal support to other Vietnam veterans and their families.
He also spoke with great affection about meeting and becoming friends with George E. Wahlen, a Medal of Honor recipient, while serving in Vietnam.
As a relatively new member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, David took his church responsibilities very seriously. While in Vietnam, he was called to serve as First Counselor in the Vietnam Mission. His ability to fly throughout the country allowed him to visit and serve members of the Church in many locations. Through his service, he helped teach, baptize, and confirm 21 new members of the Church.
After his active-duty service, David, Mary Lou, and their five children moved to Fruit Heights, Utah, where he established his medical practice in Kaysville.
Their family continued to grow until they had eight children—seven sons and one daughter.
David loved his new community and served it wholeheartedly. He delivered thousands of babies and cared for generations of families. He sponsored Little League baseball teams and served for 21 years as the beloved team physician for Davis High School football.
In 1970, David joined the Utah Army National Guard. He served in a number of important positions, including Flight Surgeon for the 19th Special Forces. After being promoted to Colonel, he was appointed State Surgeon. He later transferred to the Army Reserves and retired from military service on January 3, 1997.
In all, COL Warden devoted 36 years to uniformed military service.
In 1999, David suffered a stroke that forced him to retire from medicine and sell his family practice. He often told people that having a stroke was one of the best things that had happened to him because, in his words, “it saved my life.” Retirement gave him more time to spend with his family and to travel. He especially loved visiting Florida and Hawaii.
David’s grandparents immigrated to the United States from Scotland and he was proud of his heritage. He participated in many Scottish festivals and Highland Games. The nurse asked him if he had any last words for his family and he said, “Tell them I’m a Scotsman”
Throughout his life, David was many things: athlete, physician, soldier, pilot, church leader, coach, mentor, community servant, husband, father, Pop Pop, and great-grandfather. But to his family, he was simply Dad and Pop Pop.
David Royal Warden Jr. was deeply loved and honored by his children and posterity. He will be remembered for countless reasons by countless people—the patients whose lives he touched, the soldiers and veterans he served beside and helped, the young athletes he encouraged, the families in his community, the members of his church, and most of all, by the family he loved so dearly.
He is survived by his eight children: David (Deidre), Jon (Deanna), Marion (Matt White), James (Lori), Rob (Kristen), Paul (Smadi), Joe (Sundi), and Ben (Megan); 30 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends who cherished his memory.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home for the loving care they provided to our father and to our entire family.
David’s life was one of service—to his country, his church, his community, his patients, his fellow veterans, and his family.
The little boy whose father died when he was four years old was told that he might never amount to anything.
He proved otherwise.
David Royal Warden Jr. amounted to much.
Funeral Services
Funeral services will commence at 11:00 a.m. on Oct. 2nd at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 77 S. Orchard Drive, Fruit Heights, Utah.
Friends and family may visit from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, Oct. 1st, at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 N. Main Street, Farmington, Utah, or from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. on Oct. 2nd at the Fruit Heights church.
He will be buried at Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park, 17111 S. 1700 W., Bluffdale, Utah, just north of Camp Williams, on October 7th, at 10:00 a.m.
The Fruit Heights 2nd Ward will provide a Zoom stream of the funeral service.
The services will be streamed live through a link provided by the ward: the link can be found here and down below under services. https://zoom.us/j/95269873295?pwd=6Gcyfs2k4mDsHpcoCgqREvPLPVqjYy.1
