David M. Acosta - Walker Funeral Home

Dave Acosta was larger than life, his reach global. He was too good for this mortality, and is finally, truly invincible. Dave lived his life on the edge, laughing with death chasing his tail. He lived everyday with no regrets and left mortality at one of the happiest times of his life. He was fearless and went out exactly as he wanted to, doing something he loved.

His life was dedicated to serving others without any expectation of reciprocation. He was born in Anaheim, California to Manuel and Lydia Castillo Acosta. As a young man he served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brasil. Following his mission, he married the love of his life, Danielle on July 15, 1989 in the Salt Lake City Temple, and filled the first few years of their marriage with skiing, fishing, and starting a family.

Dave started his epic, life-long career of service when he first became a North Las Vegas police officer and SWAT team leader, then a deputy at King County Sherriff’s Department where he also served as a counter-terrorism expert. He loved every second of his law enforcement career.

Dave then spent a decade being contracted all over the world including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa, running special ops with elite task forces.

Dave lived a selfless life of always putting others first, and founded non-profit organizations to help law enforcement and families of fallen officers.

Dave will always be remembered as a beloved teacher, as he spent his time teaching countless life-changing classes such as women’s self-defense and empowerment, situational awareness, kidnap prevention, firearm trainings, and even free community classes. He developed entire programs for schools and corporations and trained them to defeat active shooters. He wrote his book, Victims No More, so this knowledge could be shared with everyone.

Dave was also a leader in his church community, and loved spending his time with the youth. He enjoyed donating his time to coach high school football teams for no other reason than that he loved football and helping the youth.

Dave never cared about money. He lived simply and donated his time and resources to church, law enforcement, and military. His classes were always extremely affordable, even when they were extensive, because he felt that his message was too important to be expensive; he wanted anyone to be able to attend.

He was a firearms expert and trained everyone, from someone who had never held a gun, to full SWAT teams & police departments.

He lived & traveled all over the world, protecting high-profile clients as a body guard.

He was a life coach for many.

He texted and called people randomly, just to check on them.

He always supported & promoted businesses & people he believed in, without being asked.

He was a motivational speaker and mental fitness expert.

He was a father figure to so many young men and women.

He truly lived his life in service to God, family, and country.

He was the best husband, father, and grandpa. His favorite thing to do was spend his time doing the things he loved with his family. He loved fishing with his grandsons, working out with his sons-in-law, riding his dirt-bikes, shooting, surfing, skiing, coyote hunting, playing pickle ball, skiing, golfing, and biking with his beloved wife, and just playing. Dave knew how to work hard, but he knew how to play even harder. You wouldn’t catch him without wearing his “Whoop” to track his vitals while he fit in 35 hours into a 24 hour day- he was always pushing himself to do more and be better and we loved him for it.

Dave was known for making everyone he met feel important and loved, and seeing only the best in people, and then telling them why they were the best. His character was evident in all his countless acts of love, like when he’d always buy the cashier at stores & gas stations their favorite candy bar, and always, always, having a small surprise in hand for his grandkids, Jack James and Lola, the next time he saw them. He cherished rocking his newest grandson, Banks to sleep and made extra stops just to see him every day.

He loved goofing off with his sons-in-law, Benson and Taft, playing sports and making funny videos. He always made sure they knew how much he loved them. He was close with his father-in-law, Mel Ewing, whom he welcomed into his home for the last 10 years. Everyone in the family was important.

Dave lived everyday of his life with no regrets so he could pass through to the other side seamlessly. And he did. He lived 10x the amount of life in half a life. God needed Dave as a warrior & leader and the giant spirit that he is. And that’s okay, because he has prepared us to know how to carry on. Dave lives on in all the lives he has changed.

Dave’s legacy knows no bounds and the magnitude of his earthly mission has proved immeasurable. His energy, positivity, and absolute Christ-like love, charity and service has left a gaping hole where it once was. He ALWAYS put others before him, and preached that selfless service was the key to happiness.

Dave was a devoted husband and adored his angel wife, Danielle. He was the most loving, proud father and taught his children to work hard, live their dreams, and fight for what’s right. His dream of empowering others will be carried on through his wife and three children, Mackenzie, Courtney, and Alejandro. He is also survived by his parents, his brother, Carlos, and sisters, Yvonne and Rebecca.

His smile, pure laugh, and fearless spirit will never be forgotten.

Though he is not here with us right now, and he is fiercely missed, Dave is busy continuing his service on the other side, and we are so proud of him.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 from 6-8 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 9 a.m. at the Utah County Fairgrounds Arena, 475 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah. Interment will be at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery, 420 South 400 East, Spanish Fork, Utah.

The Funeral Service will be broadcast live on the Walker Funeral Home Facebook Live Page

Share Now

8 Condolences for David M. Acosta

Condolences(8)

Terry D Underwood says

August 3, 2020 at 6:49 am

Dave was one of the most Christ lIke men I have ever met. He served his County with distinction, with Integrity and honor! He served and loved his wife and his children, grandchildren with the greatest of devotion! Nothing was more important to him than was his family and serving his community!

There is much to say about Dave that would take up pages of the lives he has touched! Including my own. He will will be greatly missed in this life but his legacy will live on in the lives of his family and the countless lives hs has touched!

Godspeed my friend!

REPLY
Fabiano Neto says
August 6, 2020 at 7:46 pm

Nossos sentimentos, dos policiais do Brasil, à esposa e filhos do Instrutor Dave. Fiquem com Deus! !!
REPLY
Helio J Santos says
August 19, 2020 at 9:41 am

Eu gostaria de saber se é o David Acosta que esteve aqui no Brasil como missionário da igreja Mórmon na ala 7 casa verde.
Eu sempre o procurei nas redes sociais mas não o encontrava, em uma dessas minhas procura vi este site, eu fiquei muito emocionado pois ele representava muito para mim, vi também sua esposa e filho e a minha emoção foi maravilhosa.
Minhas condolências a todos os familiar e e amigos.
Com certeza um dia nos veremos amigo.
Por favor me retorne informação se é o David missionário no brasil, já tem por volta de trinta anos que não o vejoe e as pessoas mudam sua fisionomia.
vou fazer uma tradução no google assim ficara de melhor compreensão.

I would like to know if it is David Acosta who was here in Brazil as a missionary for the Mormon church in wing 7 casa verde.
I always looked for him on social networks but I couldn’t find him, in one of my searches I saw this site, I was very moved because he represented a lot to me, I also saw his wife and son and my emotion was wonderful.
My condolences to all family and friends.
One day we will see each other, friend.
Please return me information if you are a missionary David in Brazil, I have not seen him for thirty years and people change his face.
I will do a translation on google so it will be better understood.

jerry timothy says

August 5, 2020 at 4:29 pm

What sad news to hear of Mr. Acosta’s passing. I hope for peace and well-being for the family.
I am grateful for his training at our school. Thanks.

REPLY
Andre SPARK says
August 6, 2020 at 2:57 pm

Obrigado querido amigo
Nos de cobertura lá do Alto

Grazi e Ferreira says

August 5, 2020 at 9:05 pm

DeseWe wish Dave’s beautiful family strength and light in that moment when the heart is tight, understanding that the Spirit is Eternal … Dave leaves the physical body because he has done his duty here on Earth !! Now it follows its path in another plane to return again stronger and stronger. Prayer is essential at this time !! We appreciate all the care that Dave had for me and my husband !! We thank you family for supporting him to perform and pass his knowledge on to us here in Brazil !! He spoke with great pride about his family !! His thirst for earthly life was so intense that it spread to everyone around him !!! We will always remember Dave with joy and gratitude !! Follow your mission up there! Amen!!
With affection from the Ferreira’s Family

Coach Gillie says

August 9, 2020 at 11:43 pm

Stunned at the news of Dave’s sudden death at the peak of life. Though I only met Dave a couple of times, I knew of his life and work through Courtney. Her energy and determination and skill and success on the soccer field in high school was a true reflection of her parents qualities. My heartfelt condolences at this most difficult time for the Acosta family. God be with you all until you meet Dave once again.

Tom Fleenor says

October 28, 2021 at 3:25 am

I miss you so much!
You were and always will be my hero!
God Bless you Davey appreciate you always having my back in some of the most dangerous places in the world.
A true warrior and brother.

I love you my friend….

David M. Acosta October 6, 1967 - July 30, 2020

Viewing

Funeral Service

Interment

8 Condolences for David M. Acosta