In Memory Of

David Warren Hastings

2/13/1944 - 5/10/2021

Details

Visitation Date

05/20/2021

Visitation Time

6:00 AM

Visitation Location

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints- Quinn Building- 2700 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85234

location_on Service Location

Service Date

05/21/2021

Service Time

9:00 AM

Service Location

About David Warren Hastings

David Warren Hastings came into this world on February 13, 1944 in St. David, AZ. – born of goodly parents William Grant and Mary Stella Hastings who he honored all his life.

Dave didn’t care much for chit chat and nonsense but he appreciated good conversation and he highly valued his family, faith and hard work. If you were to draw attention to his immensely kind heart, his integrity, his work ethic, his devotion to the Lord, or any of his other endearing characteristics like his bright blue eyes or engaging smile, he would shift the attention to how beautiful his wife, Norma, was or how talented and good his children, Sheri, Shawn, Shannon, Sonny, Scott, Sandi, Spencer, and Sterling were. He would draw your attention to how great his sons-in-law and daughters-in-law were. He would tell you how proud he was of his 30 grandchildren, and 1 1/2 great grandchildren. Nothing gave him more joy than his family. Well, his family and roping. His family and roping and George Strait. Ok, his family, roping, George Strait, good steak and teaching his children and other boys how to work.

His wife, Norma, says of him “Dave lifted me to be my best self. He always enjoyed life and got the most out of it. From great expectations of his children and grandchildren – to working hard and always doing his best in whatever he did. He is an exceptional man and husband who simply appreciates the beauty of all kinds and loved to share good things – like the beautiful full moon, the sunset, the wonderful view of the mountains and especially the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love him with all my heart.”

Throughout his life, Dave was often frustrated by his inability to articulate what was in his heart. Those who knew him didn’t need to be told. Dave lived it. Dave knew “the difference between living and living well.” His love was unreserved, evident and immense. His testimony of and love for Jesus Christ was reflected in all he quietly did. Dave was the epitome of a loving husband, father, Papa, and above all, a follower of Jesus Christ. Look at his family who knew him best – watch how their eyes light up and their smiles can’t be contained when they talk about their favorite cowboy. That’s all you need to see to know who Dave Hastings truly was.

Dave peacefully passed away May 10, 2021 at 10:52pm in his home surrounded by his wife of 53 years and ALL of his children. Thoughtful to the last, Dave rode his Gator off into the sunset just in time for his daughter, Sharlene’s birthday. She had been waiting for him in heaven since returning there as an infant. They are together now, waiting for the rest of us to join them in the “eternal” arena!

Preceded in death by his parents, William Grant and Mary Stella Hastings, brother Bob and daughter, Sharlene. Survived by wife, Norma, 8 children, 30 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and sister Ann Maready.

The family would love to have any memories and stories shared to davehastingsmemories@gmail.com

For those that are unable to attend, the funeral service can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/iBoZN0pPje4

Honoring Your Loved Ones

Condolences

13 comments

Mary Robson

ago

A true gentleman and friend to everyone, with a smile that beamed from ear to ear! You could feel his spirit. So sorry for Norma and all the family. These are the hardest challenges we face. Love to all, Jim and Mary Robson

Mark and Barbara Flake

ago

Dear Norma: I am saddened to read about Dave’s passing. I only met him a few times but I think he has met his mothers expectations. I do think about you and your family every time I pass the Howard and Ida Church heme in Snowflake as well as the Ice Cream Shop on main street. Your family has always been kind to us and I thank you for that. May the Lord bless and comfort you and your family until you meet again. Mark and Barbara Flake

Chuck and Cheri Lambson

ago

We are sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. I don’t need to explain the light that he was in our lives. We feel blessed by his friendship and his example to us. We will always remember the quiet talks, the laughter and Dave’s gentle smile. Such a good good man. He will be missed. We know he has moved onto his reward and the next adventures. We love you all and pray for you at this tender time. Chuck and Cheri Lambson

Layne Bagley

ago

For three years now, ever since I moved into the pioneer ward, I have have known Brother Haistings as my boss. I started working for him in 2018 and in between the year I worked for him I was taught so many things both physical and spiritual from him. Usually Saturdays when I would work earlier in the morning Brother Haistings would be up and ready, already feeding the horses and the steer. He would take me for a little ride on the gator and explain what the project was for that day. The conversation would almost always lead to missionary work and how the work I was doing now applied to the mission field. He taught me how to scoop manure, clean and brush a horse, kill weeds by mixing up round-up, and mow his lawns to the point of near perfection. The summer was the hardest part of the year to work, it seemed like I was called over more in the summer to work than when the weather was decent. But we got a lot of work done. He would fill the front loader tractor up with the manure that I would scoop from the arena and we would spread it out across all of his lawns in the 117 degree heat of 2018. It was hard work, but the lawns, with a little organic nutrition a few weeks later looked amazing! I am so grateful for Brother Haistings influence on me and all of the morals he taught me while I worked for him. I don’t know a cowboy who was able to love his wife as much as his horses, but he didn’t have a problem with that, his love for Sister Haistings is incredible and a great example for me. I will miss you Brother Haistings and thank you for turning me into a man!

Doyle Atkin

ago

Dave was a Good Roper I roped with him at Snowflake Ariz Rodeo and stayed with him. He Rodeo with my brother Brent at BYU

Steve and Paula Dahl

ago

Norma, we are so sorry to hear of Dave’s death. We are thinking of you and your beautiful family. Sending you our love and prayers. And all the wonderful and fun memories we have of Dave. Sincerely, Paula and Steve Dahl

Rick and Anita Sheffield

ago

Dear Norma and Hastings Family, we were so saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. We have lots of wonderful memories spent with Dave and your family during our 18 years in Gilbert and the Gilbert 6th Ward. We are so grateful for the consecrated example of your family in sharing your home, property and family with so many of us through the years. Your example of Christ-like service, kindness and devotion to family and the Savior has been used in church lessons in Gilbert and Austin, Texas, has been taught to our children and has blessed our lives many times over. We wish we could be there in person to honor this good man! We love you and pray that God will bless each of you over the coming days, weeks and months.

Stephen and Carolei Phelps

ago

Where to begin? When I was young, I remember Dave’s mother, Stella, bringing jars of honey into my dad’s grocery store, Cost Plus Ten Market, to be sold to those who appreciated what good honey should really taste like. Dave was a Sophomore at Mesa High when I was a Senior. My wife, Carolei Ferrin, was in his graduating class. But although we both “knew of” Dave long before moving into the Gilbert 6th Ward in 1980, it wasn’t until then that we came to know and love Dave and Norma as the best of friends… and that’s what they have been for 40+ years now… the very best of friends. The day that Dave died I told him I didn’t know what I would do when my one-man fan club was gone. And that’s what Dave has been to me… always the first to give me a pat on the back or encouraging words right when they were needed. In the early 90’s when Dave was in the Bishopric, he called me to teach the Gospel Essentials class for people investigating the church and for church members seeking to come back into activity. Dave was right there in the class with me every week to offer support and his cheerful smile to all who attended. And as to my pitiful organ music, Dave was my undying one-man fan club for sure. I don’t remember a week when Dave didn’t literally seek me out to let me know how much he enjoyed my organ music that Sunday. And if he missed seeing me at church, he was on the phone to let me know how he felt. When he’d come to the pulpit to bear his testimony, which was quite often, he always commented on Bro. Phelps’ organ music… just as his way of letting me know he believed in me. What a world this would be if everyone had a Dave Hastings as their personal cheering section! I had the opportunity, as an attorney, of assisting Dave and Norma in a variety of their personal and business affairs. Dave was honest to a fault in all of his business dealings. It was a privilege to be associated in some small way with two people that you knew were honest in all they did. It’s literally impossible to speak of Dave without including Norma… it was always “Dave and Norma” in everything. They were “one” as a couple. They both lived and live the gospel to its fullest. What a privilege to call them our friends. We will miss Dave terribly. One of my daughters said just today, “I feel like I’ve lost an Uncle.” Dave was a big part of the lives of our children in their younger years. Each of them, as do Carolei and I, love ole Dave with all our hearts. “Happy trails,” old friend… until we meet again. — Stephen and Carolei and family

Bryan and Tauna Turley Lowe

ago

Dear Norma and family, We just heard of Dave’s passing and we’re so saddened by this news. He was a good and decent man. We’re sure the Lord will bless and comfort you with happy memories of days past and hope for happy times together again. We think if you as a couple every December 16th!

Hal and Kellie Walker

ago

Dear Norma and family, Condolences simply do not seem sufficient for the hole that Dave’s passing will leave in everyone’s hearts. He was truly a giant among men. His testimony and spirit shined through wherever he was. We are so grateful to have rubbed shoulders with this great man and to raise our children in a ward where they could be influenced by his goodness and testimony. We love you Hasting’s Family and are so sorry for your loss. — Hal & Kellie and family

BOB BURNHAM

ago

great memories from our youth, scouting, dances, dating and honey bees.

Dina & Todd Rossell

ago

Dear Norma & all of the Dave Hastings family – Dave was a light to everyone who knew him. He always had a smile & a kind word for just about everyone. To our family, he was a disciple of Jesus Christ. He backed up his faith with service as a missionary with Norma and in so many different capacities throughout his life. How grateful we are for Dave Hastings. Our entire family loved Dave, but our two oldest sons lovingly point to Dave Hastings as the man who taught them to work hard. Dave also taught them to love to work, often working side-by-side with them while they discussed meaningful, testimony-building Gospel topics that helped build the foundation of young testimonies. Dave was a powerful disciple of Jesus Christ, and we are so thankful to have had the opportunity to know Dave Hastings. He enriched our family in so many ways. We love Dave and to the entire Hastings family, we send our love and prayers.

Dave & Kelly Peterson

ago

Dear Norma, Sheri, Shawn, Shannon, Sonny and the whole Hastings clan, We were heartbroken to hear of the passing of your husband and father. He was a great man, as you each already know. I feel so fortunate to have been named after this incredible man. I am sure that he and Dad are having more fun than they should be allowed up in Heaven, reminiscing about their mission time together in Australia and all the years we got to spend together in Gilbert, especially back when it actually was a small town. God bless you wonderful people at this difficult time. We love you!