David H. Urner

December 27, 1929 - October 22, 2022

David Harrison Urner passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, October 22, 2022. He was

92. David was a Bakersfield native, born December 27, 1929 to Mildred and David E. Urner, who

had ventured from Kansas to seek new opportunities in California. In 1919, his father founded

Urner's Inc., Bakersfield's first specialty appliance store, and the family became an integral part

of the community.

David grew up in Kern County and graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1948 and

immediately became active in the family appliance and home furnishings business. One of his

major accomplishments in his early years was expanding the appliance business beyond

traditional retail by developing new relationships and sales to local and regional home builders.

Taking over for his father, he was president of Urner’s from 1980 to 2019.

As President of Urner’s, he continued his father’s legacy by moving the main downtown

showroom location to it’s current location on White Lane in 2000, followed by two specialty

Mattress showrooms and more recently, Urner’s opened another Appliance & Furniture

Superstore at Calloway & Rosedale in July 2022.

Born and raised in Bakersfield, David was very active in the community and was well known for

his outgoing, friendly nature, generosity, leadership, charitable endeavors, and compassion and

care for his family, employees, friends and colleagues. David was a founding member of the

Sister City Organization in 1961 when Wakayama, Japan became the first Sister City. He was

actively involved for over 60 years and served as President from 1991 to 1994. David was

passionate about their work to promote peace through the Sister City Organization and through

reciprocal cultural and educational exchanges. He was active in local civic organizations

including the East Bakersfield Kiwanis Club where he served as President in 1967.

As a young man, David married Helen Mc Nabb and together they had two children. After

divorcing, David re-married Marjory Rice-Urner, who had three children from a previous

marriage. David and Marge were happily married for over 44 years.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Marge Urner, and is survived by his children, Randy

Urner, Pam Urner, Diana Plotkin, Steve Illingworth and Carol Meek; his 13 grandchildren and 20

great-grandchildren.

A celebration of David’s life will be held on November 12, 2022 at 10 AM at Hillcrest Memorial

at 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of David may be

made to Bakersfield Sister City (https://www.bakersfieldsistercity.org/) to further support their

wonderful work in promoting international peace and friendship.