David Alonzo Vandiver was born the second of nine children to Albert Lee Vandiver and Thelma Louise Smith, in Flat River, Missouri, on September 15, 1927. In 1936, the family migrated to Orange County, California, where David went on to attend Fullerton High School. At age 17, David left school — altered his birth certificate and enlisted in the Merchant Marines, where he trained on Catalina Island and served during wartime in the Pacific Theater.
On October 16, 1949, David married Darlene Youngblood. The couple lived in Buena Park, California, where in 1950, they welcomed a daughter, Ruby Jean, and in 1952, a son, William Dennis. In 1960, relocation of David's employer, Brookhurst Mill of Anaheim, caused the family to move to Riverside, California, where in 1962, another daughter, Wendy Sue, was born.
After visiting his brother in Grants Pass in 1974, David left his job of more than 20 years and moved Darlene and Wendy onto 40 acres of land in Williams, Oregon. There David and Darlene worked tirelessly to build a homestead, where they raised cattle and other livestock, and enjoyed the relative peace and isolation of country living. Once the home was established, David began employment with the Grants Pass Grange Co-Op, making deliveries and working on the dock; eventually retiring after 17 years of service. In 1984, David and Darlene left the farm in Williams for a house on a mountain in the Cloverlawn area of town.
For more than 54 years, until Darlene's untimely passing in 2004, the couple served as an example of love and commitment to all who knew them. David continued to cherish and dearly miss Darlene for the rest of his life.
After Darlene's passing, David worked to make life meaningful by becoming engaged in his community. For a number of years, he volunteered with HASL Independent Ability Center, driving a service van transporting patients to medical appointments for treatment, and to service their daily needs. Known for his active lifestyle, David learned to water ski at age 70, enjoyed playing volleyball at the local Mormon church, and in 2005, joined the "Relics" senior softball team, where he played catcher right up to his 91st birthday.
David was preceded in death by his treasured wife, Darlene; and his beloved son, William, who passed in 2009.
He is survived by his two daughters, as well as five granddaughters and four great-grandchildren. Additionally, David is survived by adoring nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
During a recent conversation with his niece, David shared that while "it hasn't been an easy road, he always wanted to be a good person in life." He continued that he wanted to "do right," as "growing up we had nothing in our home … and I wanted to have something for my family." David accomplished all of these goals, and much more.
Visitation will be held from 1-5 p.m., Monday, November 18, 2019, at The Chapel of the Valley Mortuary in Grants Pass, Oregon. Interment will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 23, 2019, at Loma Vista Cemetery in Fullerton, California.
The family would like to thank Asante Hospice, for their strength, comfort and caring ways.
Published in the Daily Courier, Grants Pass, Oregon, November 14, 2019.
On October 16, 1949, David married Darlene Youngblood. The couple lived in Buena Park, California, where in 1950, they welcomed a daughter, Ruby Jean, and in 1952, a son, William Dennis. In 1960, relocation of David's employer, Brookhurst Mill of Anaheim, caused the family to move to Riverside, California, where in 1962, another daughter, Wendy Sue, was born.
After visiting his brother in Grants Pass in 1974, David left his job of more than 20 years and moved Darlene and Wendy onto 40 acres of land in Williams, Oregon. There David and Darlene worked tirelessly to build a homestead, where they raised cattle and other livestock, and enjoyed the relative peace and isolation of country living. Once the home was established, David began employment with the Grants Pass Grange Co-Op, making deliveries and working on the dock; eventually retiring after 17 years of service. In 1984, David and Darlene left the farm in Williams for a house on a mountain in the Cloverlawn area of town.
For more than 54 years, until Darlene's untimely passing in 2004, the couple served as an example of love and commitment to all who knew them. David continued to cherish and dearly miss Darlene for the rest of his life.
After Darlene's passing, David worked to make life meaningful by becoming engaged in his community. For a number of years, he volunteered with HASL Independent Ability Center, driving a service van transporting patients to medical appointments for treatment, and to service their daily needs. Known for his active lifestyle, David learned to water ski at age 70, enjoyed playing volleyball at the local Mormon church, and in 2005, joined the "Relics" senior softball team, where he played catcher right up to his 91st birthday.
David was preceded in death by his treasured wife, Darlene; and his beloved son, William, who passed in 2009.
He is survived by his two daughters, as well as five granddaughters and four great-grandchildren. Additionally, David is survived by adoring nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
During a recent conversation with his niece, David shared that while "it hasn't been an easy road, he always wanted to be a good person in life." He continued that he wanted to "do right," as "growing up we had nothing in our home … and I wanted to have something for my family." David accomplished all of these goals, and much more.
Visitation will be held from 1-5 p.m., Monday, November 18, 2019, at The Chapel of the Valley Mortuary in Grants Pass, Oregon. Interment will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 23, 2019, at Loma Vista Cemetery in Fullerton, California.
The family would like to thank Asante Hospice, for their strength, comfort and caring ways.
Published in the Daily Courier, Grants Pass, Oregon, November 14, 2019.
David Alonzo Vandiver was born the second of nine children to Albert Lee Vandiver and Thelma Louise Smith, in Flat River, Missouri, on September 15, 1927. In 1936, the family migrated to Orange County, California, where David went on to attend Fullerton High School. At age 17, David left school — altered his birth certificate and enlisted in the Merchant Marines, where he trained on Catalina Island and served during wartime in the Pacific Theater.
On October 16, 1949, David married Darlene Youngblood. The couple lived in Buena Park, California, where in 1950, they welcomed a daughter, Ruby Jean, and in 1952, a son, William Dennis. In 1960, relocation of David's employer, Brookhurst Mill of Anaheim, caused the family to move to Riverside, California, where in 1962, another daughter, Wendy Sue, was born.
After visiting his brother in Grants Pass in 1974, David left his job of more than 20 years and moved Darlene and Wendy onto 40 acres of land in Williams, Oregon. There David and Darlene worked tirelessly to build a homestead, where they raised cattle and other livestock, and enjoyed the relative peace and isolation of country living. Once the home was established, David began employment with the Grants Pass Grange Co-Op, making deliveries and working on the dock; eventually retiring after 17 years of service. In 1984, David and Darlene left the farm in Williams for a house on a mountain in the Cloverlawn area of town.
For more than 54 years, until Darlene's untimely passing in 2004, the couple served as an example of love and commitment to all who knew them. David continued to cherish and dearly miss Darlene for the rest of his life.
After Darlene's passing, David worked to make life meaningful by becoming engaged in his community. For a number of years, he volunteered with HASL Independent Ability Center, driving a service van transporting patients to medical appointments for treatment, and to service their daily needs. Known for his active lifestyle, David learned to water ski at age 70, enjoyed playing volleyball at the local Mormon church, and in 2005, joined the "Relics" senior softball team, where he played catcher right up to his 91st birthday.
David was preceded in death by his treasured wife, Darlene; and his beloved son, William, who passed in 2009.
He is survived by his two daughters, as well as five granddaughters and four great-grandchildren. Additionally, David is survived by adoring nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
During a recent conversation with his niece, David shared that while "it hasn't been an easy road, he always wanted to be a good person in life." He continued that he wanted to "do right," as "growing up we had nothing in our home … and I wanted to have something for my family." David accomplished all of these goals, and much more.
Visitation will be held from 1-5 p.m., Monday, November 18, 2019, at The Chapel of the Valley Mortuary in Grants Pass, Oregon. Interment will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 23, 2019, at Loma Vista Cemetery in Fullerton, California.
The family would like to thank Asante Hospice, for their strength, comfort and caring ways.
Published in the Daily Courier, Grants Pass, Oregon, November 14, 2019.
On October 16, 1949, David married Darlene Youngblood. The couple lived in Buena Park, California, where in 1950, they welcomed a daughter, Ruby Jean, and in 1952, a son, William Dennis. In 1960, relocation of David's employer, Brookhurst Mill of Anaheim, caused the family to move to Riverside, California, where in 1962, another daughter, Wendy Sue, was born.
After visiting his brother in Grants Pass in 1974, David left his job of more than 20 years and moved Darlene and Wendy onto 40 acres of land in Williams, Oregon. There David and Darlene worked tirelessly to build a homestead, where they raised cattle and other livestock, and enjoyed the relative peace and isolation of country living. Once the home was established, David began employment with the Grants Pass Grange Co-Op, making deliveries and working on the dock; eventually retiring after 17 years of service. In 1984, David and Darlene left the farm in Williams for a house on a mountain in the Cloverlawn area of town.
For more than 54 years, until Darlene's untimely passing in 2004, the couple served as an example of love and commitment to all who knew them. David continued to cherish and dearly miss Darlene for the rest of his life.
After Darlene's passing, David worked to make life meaningful by becoming engaged in his community. For a number of years, he volunteered with HASL Independent Ability Center, driving a service van transporting patients to medical appointments for treatment, and to service their daily needs. Known for his active lifestyle, David learned to water ski at age 70, enjoyed playing volleyball at the local Mormon church, and in 2005, joined the "Relics" senior softball team, where he played catcher right up to his 91st birthday.
David was preceded in death by his treasured wife, Darlene; and his beloved son, William, who passed in 2009.
He is survived by his two daughters, as well as five granddaughters and four great-grandchildren. Additionally, David is survived by adoring nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
During a recent conversation with his niece, David shared that while "it hasn't been an easy road, he always wanted to be a good person in life." He continued that he wanted to "do right," as "growing up we had nothing in our home … and I wanted to have something for my family." David accomplished all of these goals, and much more.
Visitation will be held from 1-5 p.m., Monday, November 18, 2019, at The Chapel of the Valley Mortuary in Grants Pass, Oregon. Interment will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 23, 2019, at Loma Vista Cemetery in Fullerton, California.
The family would like to thank Asante Hospice, for their strength, comfort and caring ways.
Published in the Daily Courier, Grants Pass, Oregon, November 14, 2019.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
