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Former Salt Lake County Councilman David Wilde died early Friday of cancer at his Murray home. He was 59.
Wilde was an original member of the County Council, elected to represent the central part of the Salt Lake Valley in 2000 when Salt Lake County made a transition from the commission to the council form of government.
An attorney in private life, Wilde was re-elected twice. But he stepped down on Jan. 1, 2014, a year into his third term, to take a job as chief policy adviser in the county district attorney's office so he could get county benefits for his fight against cancer.
The Salt Lake County Republican Party selected Aimee Winder Newton to replace Wilde, who spent the past two years helping modernize county ordinances, identifying obsolete or duplicative provisions worthy of removal from the books. Newton won election in her own right last year.
Wilde also ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination in the 2nd Congressional District in 2004 and for Murray mayor in 2005.
"I am saddened by the news of Councilman Wilde's passing," said County Mayor Ben McAdams. "He was dedicated to serving the residents of his council district and he always put their interests first. I knew him to be particularly passionate about building and maintaining the Jordan River Trail, where families are able to walk, jog, bike and access the Jordan River for recreation and relaxation, in the heart of our busy metro area."
Current Council Chairman Richard Snelgrove, who served for two years on the council with Wilde and shared many similar perspectives, said "Dave's passing is a loss for our community."
"Yes, he was a friend and colleague, but more importantly he was a public servant. Dave always based his decisions on what he felt was in the best interests of the people he served," Snelgrove added.
District Attorney Sim Gill called Wilde "an extraordinary public servant [who] represented District 3 with distinction. … His work product and ethic were exemplary. He was a passionate advocate of fairness and fiscal responsibility. David insisted on working until the very end while maintaining his sense of humor."
Wilde's funeral will be at noon Tuesday at the Vine Street Chapel, 365 E. Vine St., in Murray, following a viewing from 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Another viewing will be held Monday from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S State St., in Murray.