David "Dave" Edmund Barclay

David Barclay, age 86 of Huber Heights, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents Edmund S. and Margaret (Lockart) Barclay; brothers Clarence, James, & Harold; sisters Martha Pettit, Marian Kughn, & Sarah Lightner, and grandchildren John Paul Barclay, & Brianne Hofeling.

David is survived by his loving wife Sylvane Barclay; son Tim (Julie) Barclay; daughters Sandy (Jeff) Rogers, Wendy (Tony) Hofeling; grandchildren Peter (Victoria) Barclay, Michael (Geneva) Barclay, Brenden Rogers, Makenzie Rogers, Catherine Barclay, Addison Hofeling, Olivia Hofeling; great-grandchildren Evangeline Barclay, Moses Barclay, Maristella Barclay, Isadora Barclay, plus one on the way, and brother John Barclay, along with several nieces and nephews.

Born in Garards Fort, PA, David grew up in Waynesburg, PA where one of his favorite childhood activities was going to the movie theater and watching John Wayne films. He proudly served in the U.S. Army Reserve, including a short call-up during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Rochester, NY where he met the love of his life, Sylvane, in 1963. They married in 1966 and spent the next nearly 60 years completely devoted to one another.

David started out driving trucks for UPS in Rochester. His career eventually took him out West—first to Wyoming, then Montana, where he and Sylvane raised their family. Through hard work at several trucking companies his skillset increased and he rose to Assistant Terminal Manager for Yellow Freight in Butte, MT, where he retired in 2003. David and Sylvane then spent 17 wonderful years on Whidbey Island, WA, where he kept active working part-time as a school district janitor, spending time with his daughters and their families, and enjoying his grandchildren. His last five years were spent in Huber Heights, OH, bringing them back East to be near his son and his family. There, David and Sylvane proudly became great-grandparents always enjoying time with them.

A natural prankster with a mischievous streak, David loved to "bust people's chops"—a playful teasing that was his trademark way of showing he cared. Family always came first for David. When his children were young, they took many long road trips to keep connections with the extended family and visit many of the western national parks. As a former delivery driver, David always knew the best way to get anywhere. Even in the era of GPS, he fiercely preferred pulling out his trusty 11x20 paper atlas to map the course. While living in Montana, he loved taking the family to Yellowstone National Park, especially when visitors came.

David had a deep passion for cars. He spent years rebuilding a classic vehicle, never missed an opportunity to help his kids car shop and test drive, and strictly insisted that all his children learn to drive a stick shift before they could get their driver’s licenses. In his later years, he loved to ‘putz around the garage,’ crafting custom cooler stands, cornhole games, and yard signs for his family. He also loved playing games, especially poker which he played with the kids, grandkids, and their friends. He loved watching football, cheering on his beloved Minnesota Vikings, and could commonly be seen wearing his Vikings jersey on game days. He loved country music and western films with John Wayne still being his favorite.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, David’s warmth, humor, and guidance will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to contribute to a charity, the family suggests Habitat for Humanity to honor David’s love of projects and people.

Service Information

· Visitation: Thursday, June 4, from 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm (Rosary starting at 6:30pm) at Tobias Funeral Home – Beavercreek Chapel: 3970 Dayton Xenia Rd, Beavercreek OH.

· Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, June 5, at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Carlisle, Fr. Kyle Schnippel celebrant: 209 W Lake Ave, New Carlisle, OH.

· Interment: Following the Mass at Calvary Cemetery, Dayton

· Luncheon: Following interment back at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall next to the Church in New Carlisle at approximately 1:30pm