On Saturday, February 6, 2021, David B. Anaya Jr. a loving husband, father of four, tata of six, passed at the young age of 58. Dad you left too soon, we love you, we will miss you, and we will never forget you. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Michelle A. Anaya for 40 years. Our dad was a proud member of Sheet Metal Local 359 and even after he retired he would still visit the R.E. Lee shop to give the workers a piece of his mind. He had three great passions in his life that he lived and loved each day that he could. His first was team roping. He made a lot of money back in his day but to him it was not the amount of money it was the simple fact that he won the roping. When the doctors told him that it would be in his best interest to not rope anymore he was devastated but decided to focus his energy on showing both his children and grandchildren his methods and smooth techniques so he could pass down his legacy of team roping. He loved coaching us. He loved when he would win during our own roping contest on the dummies. His second passion was hunting, he loved to brag about his deer mounts that hang in his home and even in the past years when he couldn't walk up any hills he still bought a tag because that was the right thing to do. He liked sharing his hunting skills that were passed down from his father to anyone that was in camp.. His third and most loved passion was spending his time with his six grandkids. He was the babysitter, school driver/pick up driver, field trip volunteer, and most recently in home school teacher where he learned how to use a computer. He followed his six grandkids all over Arizona while they competed in junior rodeos. He was always present at any activity they did from basketball games, hockey games, student of the month ceremonies, mariachi concerts, and even just hanging out with them while they rode bikes or segways. He adored his grandkids, they at times made him angry but he could never stay mad as he was their best advocate in everything they tried to accomplish.
Our dad is survived by our mother Michelle A. Anaya, two sons, David "D.J" Anaya III, and Andrew J. Anaya, his daughter Delyssa M. Anaya, six grandkids, Nevaeh Montes, Javier Montes, Dessani Anaya-Duffy, Gatlin Anaya-Duffy, Beau Stetson Anaya, and Austen Munoz. his two sisters Rosemary Mendoza, Diana Anaya, his two special cousins who he shared everything with , who were like brothers to him, Andy Anaya and Frank Anaya. He leaves behind many relatives and many, many friends.
He is preceded in death by our sister Danielle A. Anaya, his parents David and Angie Anaya, his two sisters Angie Amado, Cory Grijalva, and his nephew Oscar Amado Jr.
Dad until we meet again, keep roping in heaven and make sure you rope them clean!
