David Livingston

David Charles (Doc) Livingston died peacefully on March 14, 2024, at his home in Ogden, Weber County, Utah, with family members and special friends at his side. His death was caused by metastatic epithelial angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that was diagnosed in his left elbow in December 2023. He was 49.
David was born in Hialeah, Florida, on November 16, 1974. Five days later, he flew to Carmichael, California, with his adoptive parents, Mary Jo T. (Dodie) and Donald Glenn Livingston. He was the object of much attention on the airplane. David lived in Carmichael for a few months before moving to Los Angeles, California, with his parents. His brother, John William Livingston, was born on October 30, 1975, and joined the family two days later.
A bright, fun-loving, and stubborn child, David began his schooling at Immanuel Presbyterian Church Nursery School in L.A. His mischievous ways soon became apparent. Julia Flier, the school director, told Dodie she should learn to jog to help David run off his abundant energy. It didn't happen, which probably was unfortunate for all concerned.
In January 1981, David, John, and Dodie moved to Washington, D.C., where she accepted a position on President Ronald Reagan's senior staff. They had many memorable experiences in their eight years back east.
As a young boy, David loved sports - especially youth league football and baseball. He also loved playing army warrior in the woods of Battery-Kemble Park with his brother and neighborhood pals. He tolerated school but preferred cartoons and King Kong on TV. Dodie and Don divorced in 1983. In 1984, she and the boys moved to Vienna, Virginia, where David played football for Oakton High School.
In 1987, Dodie married Jerry H. Borup, a professor at Weber State University, whom she'd met through her work in the federal government. In early 1989, she and the boys moved to Ogden to be with Jerry. He had 10 children from two previous marriages, so it was a very complicated unification process. Over time David drew close to his stepfather, learning to treasure Jerry's generous family leadership.
David met his future wife, Stephanie Marie Schroeder, while they were students at Ogden High School. They were married on September 25, 1993. Their daughters, Jessica and Randy, were present for the ceremony. Over the years, David did security work at big band productions and operated machinery in the health products industry. In 1998 he fulfilled a lifetime dream by enlisting in the U.S. Army as an infantryman. For most of his three years in the service, he trained and led gun crews that carried out various assignments, some overseas.
David and his family moved back to the Ogden area following his honorable discharge. Shortly after their return, he was diagnosed with sudden-onset kidney disease and began dialysis. In 2011, he was blessed to receive a kidney transplant. Due to neuropathy brought on by the kidney issues, David developed infections in both feet as well as his right leg. These infections necessitated amputation of his leg below the knee in 2014 and, a short time later, partial amputation of his remaining foot. He also developed congestive heart failure.
These health challenges and others were so demoralizing to David that they changed the trajectory of his life. He was fortunate to have loving support from his family, especially Steph, and to be able to continue riding motorcycles, his long-time passion. However, David and Steph eventually divorced, mainly to the fallout from his health issues.
There were many tender mercies as David traveled the sad path of his final months. The VA authorized Hospice to begin on February 1, and he was assigned a wonderful nurse. Melissa provided kind, consistent, and appropriate care as well as needed equipment and medications. Over the years of his numerous medical challenges, David frequently was cantankerous toward medical personnel, but he didn't treat Melissa that way. She, too, rode motorcycles, and they developed quite an interesting and helpful rapport. As the end approached, she predicted to the day, then almost to the minute when he would pass so loved ones could gather around him.
Although he wasn't able to ride his motorcycle following the cancer diagnosis, David did experience another tender mercy. In a spirit of forgiveness, Steph and their daughters reconciled with him shortly before his death. They were able to be together during his final hours.
David was preceded in death by his father: Donald G. Livingston; grandparents: Gordon M. and Josephine K. Truman, Doris M. and George M. Livingston, and Elizabeth and Carl Borup; uncles: Malcolm M. (Mac) Truman (Pam) and David M. Livingston; and stepsiblings: Jerry Lynn Borup and Jason Stewart Borup.
Survivors include his mother: Mary Jo T. (Dodie) Stallcup; brother: John William Livingston (Sarah); former spouse: Stephanie Schroeder; daughters: Jessica Livingston Jabczynski (Zac) and Randy Livingston Medina; grandsons: Xavier Pablo Medina and Hudson Jaye Jabczynski; stepsiblings: Mark A. Borup (Myrna), Mel J. Chandler (Sandy), Kellie Jean Borup, Phillip P. Borup (Shawn), Carl S. Borup (Dianna), Lance H. Borup (Carmen), Angela Borup, and Jered A. Borup (Pam); ministering brother and sister: Hal and Kay Jewel; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A Memorial Service with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Evergreen Cemetery Columbarium, 100 North Monroe Blvd., Ogden, Utah for family and close friends. Kenneth D. Borup, funeral director for Brigham City Myers Mortuary, is handling arrangements and will offer the dedicatory prayer.