David Herbert Fairbrother

Deeply bereaved by his passing are his loving wife of 46 years, Virginia (Braun); his children Teresa Balogh (Jonathon), Steven Fairbrother (Marcie), and Jennifer Redekop (Dave); and his six beloved grandchildren Emily, Jaden, Elizabeth, Naomi, Ella, and Presley.

He will also be sadly missed by his siblings, John (Bonnie), Mary (Jerry), and Peter (Evie), as well as extended family, friends, colleagues, and members of church congregations throughout B.C.

David was born in Brighton, England on November 18, 1944, the son of the late Herbert and Amelia Fairbrother. He immigrated to Canada when he was 18 months old and grew up on a farm in Haney, B.C. At age 15, he was called by the Lord to be a pastor. After high school, he attended Northwest Baptist Theological College, where he graduated in 1967, followed by a year of studies at the University of Manchester in England. David and Virginia were married in 1969. He was ordained as a minister in 1971.

For 38 years, David, supported by Virginia, faithfully served God as a pastor at churches in Prince George, Richmond, and Vernon. Within his years of ministry, he served two terms as President of the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in B.C. and Yukon, raised funds for the building of Northwest College in Langley, led two church building projects, mentored young pastors, and went on mission trips with Virginia to Japan, Russia, and Hungary.

In addition to his church-related ministry, David had a heart for the community and spent many years involved in the Vernon Rotary Club and enjoyed hosting international students.

David’s greatest joy in life was being with his family. His wife and children have many happy memories of time spent together watching BC Lions and Canucks games, vacations in Penticton, picnics at the beach, family fun nights, and visiting Birch Bay.

He took great joy in spending time with his grandchildren, doing special projects, going on trips, and encouraging them in all they did.

He loved tending to his lawn and flowers, working on home projects, collecting coins, playing golf, and traveling, especially to Hawaii.

David suffered from an autoimmune disease and in 2007 he was given the gift of life when he received two liver transplants, enduring four 6-hour surgeries in 49 days. His ability to rise above the extreme adversity he faced during his transplant journey led the transplant doctors to name him Miracle Man.

David and his family were so thankful to the donor families and to God for giving him an extra 8½ years of life, which allowed him to see his oldest grandchild graduate, to be there for the birth of his youngest grandchild, and to be part of many family events.

David was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 2½ years ago and despite being given a short timeline of survival, he persevered and lived life to the fullest. There were many moments during David's medical journeys where obstacles were placed in his way, with treatments that did not work and side effects that challenged his energy and abilities, but from each hurdle David was able to rally his spirit and surround himself with his faith and family, and move forward to embrace the precious life God bestowed upon him. David rose to every hardship with grace, determination and humility and was an inspiration to all those around him.

God sustained David for the past two years with no cancer treatment, during which time he made trips with Virginia to the Maritimes, Toronto, and Niagara Falls, raised money for Sunnybrae Bible Camp, served as a Church Elder in Armstrong, and renovated the entire main floor of their house including laying tile and hardwood floors, painting, and reupholstering furniture.

Thank you to the doctors and nurses who cared for David through his many medical journeys, most especially the liver transplant team at VGH.

Above all, we thank God for His sustaining love and for the wonderful gift of David’s life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 26, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3412 – 15th Avenue, Vernon, B.C.

Those wishing to make a charitable contribution in David’s memory might consider Fairhaven Ministries (www.fairhavencanada.com) or the Transplant Research Foundation of British Columbia (www.trfbc.org/give).

Please consider registering to be an organ donor.