David Oscar Rioja
January 28, 1979 — November 22, 2015
David Rioja
Venice, Utah
David Oscar Rioja, of Venice, a beloved son and grandson, brother, uncle and nephew, friend of many, and always the champion of the underdog, departed this life the 22 nd day of November, 2015, in Venice, the victim of a gun shot. He was born 28 th day of January, 1979 in Landstuhl , Germany to Oscar Gonzalo Rioja and Cleo Colleen Utley. He grew up in Germany, California, Nevada, and Utah.
David married Rose Herring in 2001. They later divorced. He next married Nickie Erickson. They later divorced. He married the love of his life, Michelle Jones in 2006. He was widowed the 19 th of May, 2008, and has sorely missed her.
David is the father of Riot Rioja, son of Sherri McMillan of Mesquite, NV. He loved Nikita McMillan, like a daughter. He is "Daddy" to Harper Sheppick, the daughter of Heather Sheppick; he was step-father of Matt Erickson and Brady Jones.
David found real joy working for several years in home health care and hospice, until his back got too bad to lift the patients. He was an amazingly talented artist, specializing in water color and tattoo. He has worked as a tattoo artist in Salt Lake Valley, Utah Valley, Saint George and Richfield.
David is survived by his mom and dad, Colleen and Ted Madden, Venice; grandparents: Scott and Cleo Utley, Venice; and siblings: Scott (Wendy) Parsons, Monroe; Michael (Sarah) Parsons, Gunnison; Eileen Rioja, Whittier, CA; Annette Rioja (Frank) Waterman, Las Vegas, NV; Amy (Karry) Gladden, New Baden, IL; David (Kristy) Madden, Seattle, WA; Paul (Michelle) Madden, West Valley; Jennie Rioja Fullmer, Venice; Michael Madden, Phoenix, AZ; Matthew (CarrieAnn) Madden, West Valley; Daniel Rioja, Venice; Malinda (Fabian) Loso, Payson; and numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles..
Preceded in death by his father; grandparents: Raul and Amalia Rioja; Charles and Merna Madden.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. in the Venice Ward Chapel where friends may call from 10:30 am to 12:30 p.m. Interment will be in the Venice Cemetery. http://www.maglebymortuary.com
I seek for peace, I care not where ‘tis found,
on this rude scene, in briars or brambles dress’t,
if peace dwells here, ‘tis consecrated ground
and owns the power to give my bosom rest.
Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com