David Bruce Grabbe

David Bruce Grabbe, 63, left this earth for his heavenly home on Sunday, June 30, 2019, at Methodist Hospice in Memphis, Tennessee. Dave's humor, compassion and warm nature made him a friend to many, both in his professional and personal life. Dave was born March 3, 1956 to Clarence and Lillian (Coupal) Grabbe in Hays, Kansas. He attended Thomas More Prep-Marian along with several of his siblings. While working for Air Midwest, Dave met his wife, Kathryn Gentleman, while they attended Fort Hays State University. Dave and Kathy were married July 18, 1981 in Hays. Over the next 37 years of married life, Dave and Kathy moved several times around the Midwest with Dave's career in the aviation field. After many moves, Dave and Kathy moved to Kansas City, where they began a family with the arrival of their son, Cody in 1985. In 1988, a daughter, Kailee, was born. After Kailee was born, Dave continued his career in aviation with Federal Express, taking the family to Memphis, Tennessee and later Indianapolis, Indiana where their children would grow up. Dave loved his job with Federal Express, as it allowed him to combine his interests in both aviation and weather. During this time, Kathy worked in the healthcare profession as a nurse. In 2015, Dave was transferred back to Memphis, Tennessee. A humble, compassionate, unassuming and hard-working man with a wonderful sense of humor, Dave was much loved by his Air Midwest and Federal Express colleagues. He kept many of his former colleagues connected throughout the years. Dave reflected with fondness and often on his time at Air Midwest as a part of the "ZV" family. He kept his own large Grabbe family connected over the years as well and was much loved by his siblings and many nieces and nephews. Dave was also an avid golfer, car enthusiast, photographer and lover of dogs. Several of his photographs were published in numerous magazines over the years. His love of photography spilled over into their daughter, Kailee, who holds a degree in photography from Purdue University. Dave's love of aviation spilled over into their son, Cody, who could tell you every other detail of planes they saw at a young age. The family had multiple dogs through the years, all very well loved by Dave. Dave leaves behind his wife, Kathryn Grabbe of Southaven, MS; son Cody Grabbe and son-in-law Josh Harraman of Metuchen, NJ; daughter Kailee Koehler and son-in-law Benjamin Koehler of Brownsburg, IN; sisters Frances (Jim) Gordon, Donna (Bob) Farrell, Pat (Leroy) Newell, and Lorri (Doug) Leibbrandt; brothers Wayne (Judy) Grabbe and Richard (Cheryl) Grabbe; and sister-in-law Sharon (Rex) Keister along with a cavalcade of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends who all loved him dearly and will miss him. Dave is preceded in death by his sister Marian (Sam) Warfel; his parents Clarence and Lillian Grabbe; and in-laws Lawrence and Betty Gentleman. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 6 at 2 pm at Graceland Christian Church, 2126 Stateline Rd E, Southaven, MS 38672. With many of Dave's family members living in Kansas, a Celebration of Life will be held there at a future date this fall. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Dave Grabbe Memorial Fund via Zelle to [email protected] with the memo "Dave Grabbe Memorial Fund" or check to Kathy Grabbe with the memo "Dave Grabbe Memorial Fund". Funds will be used for medical expenditures and the remainder will be split between the First Tee Tennessee Youth Golf Program in Memphis, TN and the Misty Eyes Animal Center of Avon, IN.