David Christopher Ennis died June 20, 2009. He was surrounded by loving family and friends: his wife of 39 years, Donna Knauer Ennis (daughter of Donna Barnett Knauer and William Jerome Knauer Jr., M.D.) and children, Claire Ennis Cashio (Jason Cashio) and David Christopher Ennis, Jr. (Leslie Brandt). David's parents William Robert Ennis Sr. and Claire Eaverson Tucker Ennis, and his brothers William Robert Ennis, Jr. (Kay) and Duncan Raley Ennis (Rosanne) were with him as well. David lived the fullest of lives. After graduating from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, FL he attended Washington and Lee University graduating in 1969 with a degree in Physics and Engineering. The US Navy was next on his list of challenges. He married his beautiful bride during his tour in Vietnam. After the Navy, David went to graduate school in Real Estate and Finance at the University of Florida before starting his professional career at Cameron-Brown Mortgage Company in Raleigh, NC. David's professional career led him to multiple banks and many cities where he made lifelong friendships and pursued those things for which he will be best remembered. The communities of Raleigh and Charlotte, NC, Clearwater, FL, St. Louis, MO, and Jacksonville, Fl were all introduced to David's unique ability to blend his extraordinary work ethic with a huge desire to play. David's greatest strength as a banker was not his technical expertise, which was extensive, but his ability to be a fair and excellent coworker and leader. His friends from the banking community will always be some of his best. David's professional career was matched only by his alter ego as a fun hog. He had many friends that had no idea of his career as a banker, but instead knew him as a hunter, fisherman, cyclist, and whitewater paddler. His quest for fun led him to the mountains of western North Carolina where he failed at retiring multiple times due to his competing loves of finance, fun and family. At home in Bryson City, he devoted an enormous amount of time to establish a chapter of Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentoring a child himself. He was also very active in the Bryson City Presbyterian Church and volunteered many hours to Church needs. David kept his passions strong and close to his heart. He introduced his family and many friends to the outdoors. As he got older the fun and family finally began to win out over the finance, and David spent as much time as possible with the next generation. "Papa" spent last week, just before he became ill, at his family's beloved Ft. George home teaching his three grandchildren his enormous love for the outdoors. A memorial service was held at St. Marks Episcopal Church. Please consider donations to: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Swain County, Swain County United Gift Fund, The Presbyterian Foundation, or the charity of your choice.