David Lyle Peden Sr.

David Lyle Peden was born October 29, 1923 in Taylorville, Illinois, the sixth of seven children born to Charles Arthur Peden and Mallie (Moran) Peden. David went to be with the Lord on October 27, 2014, only two days prior to his 91st birthday.

When David was only two years old, the Peden clan moved to Woodlake, California. where he attended both elementary and high school. David excelled in basketball and high jump on the track and field team. An excellent trumpeter, David was also in the Woodlake High School marching band.

While still in high school, David met the love of his life, Lula Mae Carrier and persuaded her reluctant father to let them marry while she was still in high school, but only if they would promise that Lula would finish high school, which she did! Lula was the first married girl to ever graduate from Woodlake High School and swore that the “old maid” typing teacher was quite jealous of her!

David was attending Visalia Junior College (later named College of the Sequoias) when he was called into military service during WWII. David served courageously in the Army Air Corps on the island of Biac in the South Pacific where he was awarded the Bronze Star. Always the proud veteran, David served as Post Commander of the Woodlake VFW and for decades proudly volunteered by placing crosses and flags on the graves of every veteran buried at the Woodlake Cemetery each Veteran's Day. David had a system of painting the crosses every year by hanging them on a line in his back yard and transporting down the road to the cemetery in a little trailer.

After WWII, David went to work for the Woodlake school district driving bus and doing custodial work. Shortly after he owned and operated the Richfield Service Station on the Main drag of Woodlake, where he made countless customers and friends. He even helped construct the bleachers for the world famous Woodlake Rodeo. After his decade with the service station, David found a new calling, driving a fuel truck for the Richfield bulk plant in Visalia, then later with Julian Oil delivering fuel to farmers and commercial accounts until his retirement. There probably wasn't a more loyal employee born. For example: While on the job, David fell off of the fuel truck breaking his shoulder causing his bone to protrude in a painful manner. Ever the consummate employee, instead of calling for help, David drove the truck back to Visalia from the Tulare area. Mr Julian, shocked by how bad his shoulder injury was, asked David why he did that to which David exclaimed: “Well I HAD to get the truck back!”

David, ever the sports fan, could often be seen in his den with two TV’s tuned to different games while listening to a third on the radio and he never missed a play on any of them. David's favorite sport was basketball and for years he played on several city league teams until he was most likely the oldest player in the league playing into his early 50s. It is still uncertain if he ever told Mom about the broken ribs, broken toe and other injuries he silently endured as he was always afraid she would make him quit basketball for good. David even once played against the Harlem Clowns, a team much like the Globetrotters that came to the Woodlake High School Gym when David and Mike were in high school. Even the Harlem Clowns were impressed by this 6’4”, 40 year-old basketball player from the little town of Woodlake, California.

David is preceeded in death by his wife Lula Mae Carrier Peden, his daughter, Christine Peden Cochran, brothers, William Delmar Peden, Charles Oel Peden and Earnest Logan Peden, and his sisters, Margaret Ellen Peden Schilling and Harriet Ann Peden Cottum, and his daughter-in-law Sharon King Peden (Mike).

David is survived by two sons, David L. Peden Jr. of Chandler, OK and his wife Belva. Mike Peden and his wife Judy. son-in-law Michael Cochran (Christine), brother Carl Arthur Peden and his wife Laurie. sisters-in-law Virginia Peden (William Delmer), and Mary Carrier (Archie Carrier), six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

David's family wishes to thank the staff at Redwood Springs, for the wonderful care that he received this past year. The caring people who work there, truly care for the welfare of all the residents. From the daily routines to the special holiday celebrations, residents truly felt at home.

David will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but we, his family, understand how lucky he is to celebrate his 91st birthday with Mom, Chrissy and his family that passed before him. We understand why he would rather be singing with the angels and walking with Jesus on the Streets of Gold instead of staying here on earth in his tired earthly body. You will be missed, Dad. You were, and always will be, greatly loved!

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2014 from 5 – 8 p.m. at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 31, 2014 at 12 Noon at Miller Memorial Chapel, 134 Cypress Avenue in Woodlake, California. Burial will follow at Woodlake Cemetery.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millermemorialchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371.