David Emerson Hope
1939 – 2022
David Emerson Hope of Spring City passed away at home with his beloved wife by his bedside on November 25, 2022.
David was born to Rudolph and Vilate Hope on November 9, 1939, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dave grew up in Spring City, where he resided all his life. Dave graduated from North Sanpete High School. After graduation, he spent a year studying at Snow College in Ephraim. From there, Dave went on to a four-year apprenticeship program to be a Master Machinist. After his apprenticeship, he worked for Clark’s engineering and various other places until he was employed by Geneva Steel, aka US Steel, where he worked for 30 years until his retirement in 1998. Among all his credits, Dave taught machine shop at a trade tech school and was the Steel Workers Union Vice President. Dave married Marilyn Pedersen and had three children with her, Brett, Brandon, and Deborah. They later divorced.
David met and married his beloved soulmate, Virjean Lynn Sessions, on November 30, 1974. They shared nearly 48 years of companionship and love. Together they raised Virjean’s two children, Mark and Lara, and they had three boys, Prescott, Fletcher, and Matthew.
Dave was like a figure out of a Zane Grey book. He was an old-school sheep herder who loved riding horses, camping out, and taking his family on many trips to the East desert. He was known for his work ethic, generosity, and love for his cherished wife and boys. He encouraged and taught his boys to work hard and take pride in their accomplishments. Dave loved to hunt and take his sons hunting with him; thus, he taught them how to use a gun properly and respectfully.
When Dave retired from Geneva Steel, he spent his golden years on his farm, taking care of his sheep and growing an awe-inspiring and abundant garden that he would share with others who came his way. Dave will be remembered for his generosity, for telling stories of his childhood, stories of the mischief he got into in his childhood and for his cooking skills to where he would try out new recipes and would love sharing them with his family.
Dave is survived by his beloved wife, Virjean, and their five children; Mark (Jodi) Christensen, Huntington, Utah; Prescott (Alissa) Hope, Spanish Fork, Utah; Fletcher (Kamey) Hope, Mt. View, Wyoming; Matthew (Melissa) Hope, Fairview, Utah; Lara (Tim) Cook, Cortez, Colorado. 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. His one sister Carolyn (Albert) Johnson, Boise, Idaho, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Vilate Hope, and two sisters, Deana Scott and Arlea Howell.
As a family, we would like to give our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Eileen Jackson, her nurses, the Hospice Community, family, and friends for making Dave’s passing more peaceful.
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 2, 2022, at 11 am in the Old Spring City Chapel. A viewing will be Friday from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services. The interment will be in the Spring City Cemetery. Online condolences at rasmussenmortuary.com.