Steven Thomas Densley

February 21, 1947 - July 24, 2021

Steven Thomas Densley, 74, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2021, Pioneer Day. He was grateful for his pioneer heritage and often repeated the quote: “The world we live in is a legacy left by those who have gone before. Tomorrow’s world will be the work of our hands. Let it be said by them that we did all that we could do.” Steve was born on February 21, 1947, in Murray, Utah. He attended Jordan High School where he served as Sophomore, and Senior Class President and was named a High School All-American in both basketball and football and All-State in baseball. He was given the Outstanding Athlete and Scholar Award, was selected to attend the Utah Freedom Academy, as well as Boys Nation, in Washington DC, and was later given the Jordan High School 2012 Honorary Alumni Award. After being recruited by schools around the nation to play football and basketball, he accepted a scholarship from BYU. He starred on the 1965 undefeated BYU Freshman team where he set a freshman running record and was referred to by then defensive coach Lavell Edwards as the most recruited athlete in BYU history at that time. He chose to leave athletics behind to serve an LDS Mission to the Eastern Atlantic States in Washington D.C. He served in various leadership positions and was asked to become the mission president’s companion and Assistant to the President for seven months. He later met his wife, Colleen Taylor at BYU. It was love at first sight and they were married six weeks later at the Logan Temple on July 23, 1968. Steve graduated in three years from BYU and worked in Chicago for one year before deciding to return to Utah. Steve then bought a company in Provo called Intermountain West and he later changed the company’s name to Kodiak Inc. Steve expanded the company to six different statewide locations and sold the entire group in 1982. As a young businessman, Steve served as the Utah Valley Home Builders Association Vice President and later on the Utah State Home Builders Board and then served as their Vice President. He was always looking for ways to help in his profession. Whether it was giving free rent to the Homebuilders Association when they had an office in his building or helping a fellow business associate, Steve could be counted on for whatever support or help someone needed. Steve was always looking for ways to serve the community and ran for the Utah State Senate, U.S. Congress, and for Lt. Governor of the State of Utah with author Richard Eyre in 1992. In recognition of his business experience and desire to serve the community, he was selected to be the President of the Orem Chamber of Commerce in 1983. Under his leadership, the chamber merged with Provo and later became the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce. He was elected two times as State Chamber President and served on the State Chamber’s Board of Directors for over 15 years. He ultimately became the second-longest serving chamber president in the state’s history. He graduated from the Institute of Organizational Management at the University of Colorado and the Institute of Advanced Management at Southern Methodist University. Both educational programs are sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. He was chosen by the U.S. Chamber to serve on the Western Region Board of Regents for the Institute of Advanced Management at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Over the years, he mentored many chamber executives across the state. In recognition of his influence, the Utah Association of Chambers created the Steve Densley Institute Scholarship to provide professional development opportunities to other chamber executives. Steve loved to recognize other people for their accomplishments and service in the community. He created the Senator Reed Smoot awards and later, the Pillar of the Valley award. Steve also loved encouraging young people to help one another and make good choices. He therefore initiated the “Great Kid” award, recognizing one student from each elementary in the Provo and Orem schools who demonstrated great character. Due to his knowledge of the community and generosity with his time and talents, Steve served on over 50 boards and community councils with organizations such as the Timpanogos Regional Hospital (Chair), Boy Scouts, Zions Bank, BYU, UVU, United Way, Rotary Club (President), Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, American Cancer Society, Utah Council for a Drug Free Youth, Salt Lake Olympic Committee, Sundance Film Festival, Utah State Consumer Protection Board (Chair), Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah, Provo Arts Council, Utah State Board of Health, and KBYU–TV. He was recognized for his service by receiving the Provo City Mayor’s Medal of Honor, the Boy Scout’s Silver Beaver Award, and the BYU Distinguished Service Award. One of his favorite ways to touch people’s lives was through his speaking and writing. He was regularly invited to speak to students, civic organizations, and youth groups. He hosted three radio shows and a talk show on Provo local television. He authored a book about Utah Valley, was a contributing author in others and wrote columns for several publications for over 30 years including a weekly column for the Daily Herald. His columns provided advice and inspiration on topics that are helpful not only to those in the business community, but to people in all walks of life of various ages and backgrounds. Steve believed that the greatest force for good in the world today is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in numerous church positions during his life, including several terms as a bishop at BYU and branch president at the Missionary Training Center. He was passionate about seeing the world with the love of his life, Colleen. Together, they visited over 50 foreign countries. He documented his tours through photography and created over 35 books containing his pictures. Steve and Colleen were committed to helping their children gain an appreciation of different cultures and generously welcomed 10 students into their home from countries all over the world, including Peru, Japan, France, England, Ireland, Germany, Laos, and Switzerland. Steve could light up a room with his smile. He took delight in bringing joy into the lives of others, especially of children and strangers and especially at Christmas time. He was affectionately known by his family as "The Big Elf." The greatest legacy Steve left is his family. He is survived by his wife, Colleen, and six children: Steve Densley (Heather), Tiffany Bennion (Chuck), Landon Densley (Amy), Marianne Melvin (Jim), Wendy Wight (Travis), and Logan Densley (April), thirty-two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, brothers: Randy Densley (Jean), Troy Densley (Tandi), and sisters: Alison Seal and Maradee Henrie (Paul). His father and mother, Vere Thomas and Mary Lou Bodell Densley; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Floyd Richardson and Mary Lou Dixon Taylor; and grandson, Daniel Heiselt Densley preceded him in death. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 7, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Oak Hills 5th Ward Hillside Chapel, at 1960 North 1500 East, Provo. The viewing will be held on Friday, August 6, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, August 7, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the same location, prior to the services. Interment will be in the American Fork Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.