David Leo Westendick

Visitation will be at Culley’s Meadwoood Funeral Home on Riggins Road, Thursday, May 12th, from 6-8pm. Funeral mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Friday, May 13th at 10am and graveside following at 3:30pm in Madison, Florida at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

David was born June 3, 1939, in Tallahassee, Florida. He was the youngest of nine children born to Frank and Alyce Westendick. David graduated from Leon High School and was part of the last class of 7th graders to attend prior to the school only hosting high school level classes. He enlisted and became a Marine with the Reserves in 1957. He was part of the Honor Guard. Shortly afterwards he would enlist and join the 3rd Marine Division at Camp LeJeune earning the rank of Lance Corporal E-3. The Marines gave him many opportunities to travel and grow as a man. He traveled to the Philippines and Okinawa where he learned first hand how blessed he was to be an American. David cherished all his memories from his active service.

Upon arriving back home in Tallahassee he pursued becoming an electrician. He went to night school at Lively and earned his Master Electrician status. He loved the trade and as in other endeavors during his life was devoted to furthering his knowledge of this industry as well as learning from others about the many areas of construction. He used his talents to create beautiful homes for his family. At one point he started his own business, Sunshine Electric, and learned even more. He eventually went to work for the union which took him too many different jobsites. He found himself working for the Savannah River Plant in South Carolina. David and Linda bought a home and moved to North Augusta, SC where they enjoyed developing new friendships and sharing their love of gathering together with family and friends for fellowship and fun.

David and Linda thoroughly enjoyed visiting with and hosting many gatherings, including all the holidays, with family and friends. They loved to play games and many times were hosting game nights at their homes in Tallahassee and North Augusta. They loved a good game of “Chicken Foot” and many card games. Roaring laughter could be heard many nights as well as joking about how serious David was about winning the game. He was very competitive since he was the youngest of five brothers and three sisters; he learned early that winning a game gave one great personal victory. When David wasn’t spending time with his family or working on his “honey do list” at his own home he was generously working to help others. Whether it was some electrical work for someone in need, perhaps helping someone with another project, coming to help someone in an emergency or selling peaches so the church could pay for the things needed for that new kitchen, whatever it was David was able and willing to help in any way.

David’s most important moment he said was when he met and married the love of his life, Linda Gail Harris, in Tallahassee, Fl. They were committed to each other and eventually had two girls. David would say that he never loved anyone as much as he did Linda. They lived in Tallahassee for many years and raised their girls there. They were always together, even when physically apart, and he was devoted to her as Linda was devoted to him. Linda had a stroke in 2010 and David became her primary care giver. He brought her back home, stayed by her side and took loving care of all her needs for three years until the Lord called her home. He never stopped missing her. After being apart since 2013, when she went home to be with the Lord, they are now together, this time forever and ever.

David loved the Lord Jesus with all his heart. His life was a testimony to his devotion to God, Family, Friends and Others in that order. He was a devoted Catholic and came to know God through his Catholic upbringing that provided him with a strong belief of Salvation through Jesus Christ and loving others by serving them well.

David and Linda had two children and seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Their daughter Susanne is married to John and their children are Kendall, Jonathon, Sarah, Emagail, Vivian and John David or “JD”. Kendall is married to Tyler Davis and they have a beautiful son. Emagail is married to Joshua Martens and they have a beautiful daughter, MaryAlyce. Their daughter Patty is married to Thad Dixon and they have a beautiful daughter, Grace.

Thank you Daddy for all you were here on earth. We are glad you are at peace with Mama and all our family in the presence of God and Jesus. We will miss you but we know we will see You and Mama again in Eternity.