David Everist, 1948 ~ 2012
Dec 20, 2012 | 3429 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.
Share This Article |

Copyright 2013 The Times-Independent. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

report abuse...

Express yourself:

We're glad to give readers a forum to express their points of view on issues important to this community. That forum is the “Letters to the Editor.” Letters to the editor may be submitted directly to The Times-Independent through this link and will be published in the print edition of the newspaper. All letters must be the original work of the letter writer – form letters will not be accepted. All letters must include the actual first and last name of the letter writer, the writer’s address, city and state and telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.

Letters may not exceed 400 words in length, must be regarding issues of general interest to the community, and may not include personal attacks, offensive language, ethnic or racial slurs, or attacks on personal or religious beliefs. Letters should focus on a single issue. Letters that proselytize or focus on theological debates will not be published. During political campaigns, The Times-Independent will not publish letters supporting or opposing any local candidate. Thank you letters are generally not accepted for publication unless the letter has a public purpose. Thank you letters dealing with private matters that compliment or complain about a business or individual will not be published. Nor will letters listing the names of individuals and/or businesses that supported a cause or event. Thank you letters about good Samaritan acts will be considered at the discretion of the newspaper.