David Everist, 1948 ~ 2012
Dec 20, 2012 | 3239 views | 0 0 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend | print
David Lysle Everist, artist, armchair philosopher, and part-time curmudgeon, 64, passed away at his home in Moab, Utah, on November 29, 2012.

David was born in Orange, Calif., on April 17, 1948 to Joseph Lysle and Phyllis Dorothy Thompson Everist. He grew up in Washington state and graduated from Shelton High School in 1966. During his formative years his first job was digging graves, until a tombstone fell on his foot. His second job was as a dishwasher for Shelton’s only Chinese restaurant, the “Ming Tree,” whose partial owners were the Everists’ next door neighbors. When their sous chef did not show up for work, they gave David his first professional cooking lesson. Having a background of parents, an aunt, and grandparents who were all great cooks, he was hooked on the restaurant business.

Starting in 1967, David was one of the top line chefs at Ocean Shores Inn in Washington. In 1969, he bounced between Olympia and Seattle as head chef at various, high-end, prestigious restaurants, including his own, “Allen’s Bay Goulash Review.”

David fell in love with Moab and everything surrounding it on first sight. In Moab, he had many jobs in the tourist and river-running business until he was able to live his life’s dream of being a self-sustaining artist. A truly gifted artist and sign maker, his art can be found throughout southeastern Utah. Whether it is the lizards that are seen at Hole in the Rock, the Rio, or the Gonzo Inn, or signs that are located at the area’s businesses, David has left his artistic mark on the area.

David was kind, generous, and very out-going, giving all 100 percent of himself to any friendly (and a few not so friendly) people that crossed his path. He was an avid reader and spent hours reading Internet articles in preparation for his next political debate. David never tired of arguing politics.

His brother, Bob, who survives him, will tell everyone that he also HATED peas!!! He used to hide them in his milk. Also, when young, if he did something wrong, he would hold his breath until he passed out to avoid getting in trouble. Their mother would just calmly wait until he woke up.

He is survived by, and will be greatly missed by his brother, Robert Everist, his sister-in-law, Paula Everist, and nephew, Ahren Everist; as well as numerous friends.

At his request he has been cremated. A memorial and celebration of life will be held in the spring.
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