David D. Wenzel

David D. WenzelBorn: November 22, 1962Died: September 4, 2014David Wenzel, 51, a longtime Jacksonville resident active in community organizations, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, September 4, 2014. David moved to Jacksonville in 1985, where he managed restaurant chains for many years. An accomplished athlete in his youth, lettering in both football and wrestling, David married Tracy Ricker in 1995, and the Wenzels had two children, Zach 10 and Alex 8. He was a dedicated and involved father, taking time out of his career to be the primary caretaker for his sons, coaching their teams, and spending time with them boating and fishing and volunteering at school. David served as president of the Indian Springs Homeowners Association, coach of several youth baseball teams, and council member at Arlington Congregational Church, where the Wenzel family is a member, and where David put his years of culinary experience to good use, often serving as chef for church events. David was an exceptional person, loving, kind, and always ready to help his friends, family, and community. He was a beloved uncle to Tom, Savanna, and Jacob, and great uncle to Christopher, Stefan, Erika, Adam, Connor, and Merrick, always ready to teach them to fish, dive, water ski, and generally have a good time. He is survived by his wife and sons, parents Jeanne and David Wenzel, sister Lizabeth and brother Drew, in-laws Alton and Nancy Ricker, sister-in-law Lisa, also a nephew to Ann, Rick and Scott Seltz, Judy Bailey (nee Wenzel) and Janet Wenzel. David will be remembered always for the joy and encouragement he brought to his friends, and large extended family, his hospitality to friends and neighbors, the incredible fireworks displays he loved to create—a greatly anticipated event at every family vacation, his love of a good time, and his dedication to his sons. Funeral services will be held on Monday evening September 8, 2014 at 5:30 pm in the Arlington Congregational Church, 431 University Blvd. N., Jacksonville, FL 32211. The family requests that donations be made to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)’s Gift Fund at NIMH, Gift Fund, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6101, MSC 9655, Bethesda, MD 20892-9655 http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/connect-with-nimh/contribute-to-the-gift-fund.shtml or the Atlantic Beach Baseball Association.