David Luther Emory

David was a proud North Carolinian, born to Jane Matthews and Otis Luther Emory on January 19, 1954. He graduated from Millbrook High School in Raleigh, NC, in 1972.

David loved many things in life. He enjoyed fishing and gardening and had a passion for collecting items such as knives, vinyl albums, and flashlights. While he never had a strong interest in sports, he found meaningful connection and enjoyment through his involvement with the wheelchair basketball community, especially with Triangle Thunder. Being part of the organization brought him a sense of camaraderie and purpose that he truly valued. In the last decade of his life, he embraced homesteading and took pride in learning various survival techniques.

He dedicated many years of his life to his work as a sound technician, where his passion for music and commitment to excellence truly shined. Over the course of his career, he had the privilege of contributing many years in music production—an achievement he took great pride in. He found genuine joy not only in perfecting his craft but also in the connections he built, having met and worked alongside many talented artists throughout the years. His work left a lasting impression, and his love for music will be remembered by all who knew him.

Fun fact: David once owned and operated an ice cream truck and loved going around the community meeting and serving people.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Jane and Otis, and his sisters, Cheryl Beaman and Anita Chappel.

David is survived by his family: DeVonna (“Dee”) Douglas, Cordelia Emory, Shanon and Brian Linzer, and Erica and Larkin Folsom.

One of David’s greatest joys in life was becoming a Papa, a role he embraced with immense pride, love, and joy. He loved teaching his grandbabies many skills—how to chop down a tree, grow and thrive from their own garden, and build new flower beds. Papa also shared his love for banana pudding and NeNe’s famous chocolate chip cookies. Even into his final years, he would playfully get in trouble for chasing the grandbabies around the kitchen with his walker while dinner was being cooked.

The family wishes to extend their sincerest thanks to everyone on David’s care team, including all the providers at the Duke ALS Clinic and especially the staff at Duke Hospice and Hock Family Pavilion. Thank you for your support, love, and guidance—we are forever grateful.

A celebration of David’s extraordinary life will be held on April 25, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at McLaurin Funeral Home in Clayton, NC. For all who knew David, you know he loved his whacky, mismatched socks and bright-colored clothes—feel free to come dressed as whacky as you’d like as we celebrate his incredible life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in David’s honor to the Duke ALS Clinic or ALS United to support ongoing research.

"I’m nearly perfect..."

-David “Maddog” Emory