David survived a prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment in late 2021. After losing his mother to cancer at a young age he was very careful with regular health care screenings which caught the cancer while it was early and very treatable. On the morning of his death, he left the house to work on preparing his tractor for the intense winter snow that we receive at the top of Monument Hill. We believe that he died about an hour later of a heart attack. He did have a known congenital heart condition that never bothered him or slowed him down and which he monitored regularly with his doctor. It is a lesson in life to practice the things that make marriage and family work: hug often; forgive always even when it is hard; and ask yourself “How important is it?” when the little things crop up that you would do differently. You never know when your last hour of life will come, and you never know when you will have your last opportunity to say “I love you”.
The Celebration of David’s Life
Sunday, October 2nd
3:00 pm
(Doors open at 2:30)
Boot Barn Hall
13071 Bass Pro Drive, Colorado Springs, CO.
David grew up in the Fort Worth area of Texas and graduated from Bowie High School in Arlington in 1977. He then attended The University of Texas at Arlington graduating in 1982 with a degree in Journalism. He had a U-Haul ready the day he graduated and moved to Colorado where he was enthralled by the mountains. He moved just in time to experience the record blizzard of 1982. He told stories of how the snow drifts covered the entire front door of his new house leaving a perfect imprint of the door in the wall of snow.
David worked as a real estate appraiser starting in 1987 at Crosson Dannis in Dallas. He joined the newly formed National Valuation Consultants, Inc. in Denver in 1991 as the company’s first employee. Over the decades with the company, he had appraised about every type of property one can think of and some you never knew existed. He was known for his intense commitment to produce a report that lived up to his very high standards. In his last few years David cultivated clients with state and federal agencies and various conservation entities specializing in transactions that ultimately resulted in preserving land and habitat in the beautiful mountains of Colorado that he loved so that it would be available for the next generation. He could have made more money doing something different, but it was important to him that he felt he was contributing to a greater good with the hours he committed to his career.
David was active and full of life. He loved to water ski when he was young and in Texas. After coming to Colorado, he avidly pursued skiing, snowmobiling, dirt bike riding, hiking and camping but his one true love was fishing. He had originally intended to go fishing the day he passed away. His wife jokingly said – “Don’t tell me where you are going to go because by morning you will change your mind.” In fact, by the next morning, he did change his mind and decided he was not up for the drive.
David’s love of Colorado extended to how he spent his spare time. When David had a few hours and was caught up on the many chores around the house he could be found out on the road near his home picking up countless bags full of trash. David was a person who was never going to compliment you on that new car or that haircut. Those were not the things about you he would ever notice. He showed you he loved you by serving. For his family that meant cleaning, taking care of the house but mostly that meant cooking. In their nearly 23 years of marriage Loren can probably count on both hands the number of times she cooked him dinner. David was known and loved by his friends and family for his talent in the kitchen to such an extent that his daughter Rachel found opening the refrigerator door hard the day after his death. One of his last acts of service was to make her a special batch of his home-made beef jerky.
David’s other passion in life was service through the various AA groups he attended each week. He walked through life with those people – they knew the struggles and the joys of his life. David participated in AA for 23 years but conquering the beast that had once been his friend did not come quickly for him. He celebrated his 7th year of sobriety in 2022 and all who knew him would attest to the transformation they saw in him over that period of time. His wife Loren also was active in the local Al-Anon and Life Recovery community and the couple made an effort to share their story of transformation and redemption that takes place only when both parties to the marriage are willing to focus on their own character defects and work to gain the skills to do life differently. He would encourage anyone reading this obituary that if you have a “hurt, habit or hangup” it is never too late no matter how many times you have failed to change if you are willing to start today with humility and a relationship with God.
If you would like to make a donation to David’s chosen charities or help the family please click here.
Ron and Linda Skorick
22 Sep 2022We’re so very sad to lose David. We love you and your family and have been praying for God’s comfort in this devastating time.
Ben Lindsay
22 Sep 2022I had only known Dave for a few years through my work with the government. We worked together on several assignments. Dave was a top notch appraiser and a pleasure to work with. Always very professional and receptive to anything I had to say, and I always learned something after working with him. I’m so sorry for his passing.
Brad Morrison
23 Sep 2022Dave was a mentor for me since I began doing appraisals in the early 1990s. After leaving the industry for 11 years, I came back to NVC not knowing exactly what direction I would go. Dave excelled in complex assignments, more than anyone I have met. When I sought his counsel during complex jobs, Dave was excellent. I wish I had communicated more with him. His candor and humor left me in a better place after every conversation I had with him. Dave was and will continue to be a special person. I’m so sorry for his loss. He will be missed but not forgotten. My thoughts and prayers to all.
Anonymous
28 Sep 2022I’m so sorry for your loss, Valerie. I’m praying for God’s peace and comfort for the entire family during this time of grief.
Tim & Beth Gaffney
3 Oct 2022Loren,
I’m so sorry that we couldn’t make it to the celebration of David’s Life. While I had not seen him in a quite a long time he reached out to me a while back and we had a amazing conversation to catch up on the years past and also to go fishing once things settled down. While we never did, I will always think of him when I stand in a stream and throw a fly. He’s in God’s hands now and feels no pain. So sorry for your loss and if you and the family ever need anything please let us know.
Take
T. Gaff