David Wendel Washington, Sr.

Dr. Washington (87) passed away on April 7th in Orlando, FL. He was the youngest of five children born to Dr. and Mrs. Marcellus James Washington, Sr. His parents and brothers; Marcellus, Jr., Dr. Richard Weldon Washington and Rev. William Joseph Washington, preceded him in death.

David was born in Gonzales, Texas but moved with his family to Austin when he was two years old. There the family joined Wesley (United) Methodist Church where he learned to love the Lord and was very active in the youth and adult choirs. He graduated from L.C. Anderson High School where he played trumpet in the band and pitched for the baseball team.

He received a B.S. degree in Biology/Chemistry from Huston-Tillotson College in 1962; a M.S. degree in Biology from Texas Southern University in 1964 and a Ph.D. degree in Human Physiology from Texas A&M University in 1974. During the years between his master’s and doctoral studies, he married Carolyn Bonner and served as chairman of the Biology Department at Wiley College for seven years.

Additionally, Professor Washington served the Biology Faculties at Texas A&M, UCF and Florida A&M Universities. He taught undergraduate courses in Human Physiology and graduate courses in Endocrinology. The results of his hormone research were published in prominent journals.

Away from academia, David treasured time with his family. The father of a son and daughter (David Jr. and Trasetta), he was very active in their maturation. He was his son’s scout master, coached his little league baseball and basketball teams and attended his football games with the University of Louisville. Then there was ballet, scouts, band and a debutant ball for his daughter.

Upon moving to Tallahassee, Dr. Washington joined Tallahassee Heights United Methodist Church. He became a member of the chancel choir, served on the finance committee, attended Thursday night Bible Studies and was active with the United Methodist Men. He loved the church and considered its members to be extensions of his biological family.

Dr. Washington was a member of several professional societies, a life member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and served on numerous boards. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Marcelyn Washington Brown; his former wife, Mrs. Carolyn B. Washington; daughter, Ms. Trasetta A. Washington; son, Mr. David W. Washington, Jr. (Makiba); four grandchildren, Alexia, David III, Daryn, and Bryce; nieces, Deborah, Donna and Charlotte; nephews, Richard, Willam Joseph, Jr. and Ronald; and a host of grandnieces, grand nephews and cousins.