Utah lost a prominent business and community leader and generous philanthropist Saturday with the death of Dee Livingood, founder of Big D Construction, a giant in the Western building industry.
Livingood, 57, was a successful businessman, overseeing the development of Big D into the largest construction firm in Utah and among the largest in the West outside California with annual revenues exceeding $160 million.The firm has built a vast network of Smith's supermarkets in four states and Smith's distribution and processing centers throughout the West, and major building projects in Weber County and at Utah colleges and universities.
During his 14-month battle with cancer, Livingood continued his dedication to the business, working on successful bids on a $23 million Down-town Ogden Performing Arts and Conference Center, a $13 million reconstruction project of the former ZCMI building in Ogden that will become new county offices and a $68 million courts complex in Salt Lake City, the largest state contract ever awarded.
But Livingood will be remembered not only for his business prowess but for his generous donations of time and expertise for causes benefiting the community. He was especially mindful of needy children, to whom he gave unselfishly. Beneficiaries of his compassion were Your Community Connection in Ogden and Salt Lake Ronald McDonald House, for which he built facilities with donated labor, and the Make-A-Wish Foun-da-tion.
He helped make the Ogden River Parkway a reality and created the Big D Sports Park in Ogden. He served on several civic boards and took a principal role in planning and development of the Ogden Downtown Performing Arts and Convention Center and Hill/DDO '95, a group committed to keeping Hill Air Force Base and Defense Depot Ogden open.
Livingood was a friend to all of Utah and especially to his northern Utah neighbors. The empty space he leaves will be difficult to fill.