David Dempsey Malphurs Jr.

David Malphurs Jr., passed away at his home on May 7, 2018. David is survived by his sisters, Shirley Boston and Vickie Stephens; brother, Ralph Malphurs; nieces Ashley Boston and Cindy Sharpe; nephew, Chris Boston; great nieces, Lilah Boston and Lindsay Sharpe; great nephews Trey and Tyler Sharpe; special friend, Bethany Hanson; and his beloved cat, Callie.

David, the son of Demp and Pauline Malphurs, began his life on December 4th, 1950. A native and longtime resident of the Charlotte area, David was a compassionate man who displayed his caring nature in a variety of ways. He fed the raccoons and deer in his yard, picked up stray cats and took them to the vet at his expense, made banana pudding as gifts for friends, and the list goes on and on.

David had been a very high spirited child and a school teacher’s worst nightmare. He graduated from Dilworth Elementary in 1963, Sedgefield Junior High in 1966, and dropped out of Myers Park before he could graduate in 1969.

Like most of us, while he had trouble reading and recalling things in which he had no interest, but he could work math problems in his head. He loved light jazz and blues, but could not take the boredom of learning to play a guitar.

He was a high school drop-out who became a self-made millionaire. While he was a disruptive force in school, he was a stabilizing force in society. He referred to himself as a slumlord, but the truth was that he took excellent care of his properties and tenants. He owned over 60 properties.

He asked that an obituary not be written, but the family insisted. He asked only that it say that he made money. When asked if it should say how much, he replied that it should not.

David was quick to forgive, he was slow to forget. His second wife tried to take all he had at the divorce. When she called him to bail her out of jail, he bailed her out, drove her home, paid her back rent, stocked her refrigerator, filled her car, and, in true Lone Ranger fashion, rode off into the sunset.

As he had the self-discipline to stop smoking, drinking, and using profanity, he could not stop his love for food. He got into bodybuilding and his mantra became "money and muscles". Eventually, diabetes took his muscle, but he made money until the end. Neuropathy caused him to fall down a flight of stairs, resulting in his death.

For a self-made millionaire who spent a lifetime climbing stairs, it was ironic that he should die by falling down a flight. God will see to it that it was the last flight of stairs at the bottom of which he would lay. His last ride into the sunset was May 8, four days after turning 67 & 1/2.

David’s absence will create a void for all who loved him. We will miss him terribly. But, we know he is in a better place now and we will work to find comfort in our memories. Memories that will be forever in our hearts and minds. We have been so blessed to be a part of his life.

A private graveside service will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Humane Society of Charlotte.