I was in David Traynham's Waynesville First United Methodist Church  Choir and will always remember his intentionally caring and dedicated service.
Adma Ross

As most of you are remembering Coach Traynham as a musical educator and all around good person, which he was, others of us saw another side of him as a highly underrated Cross-Country coach, leader, and motivator. I had the pleasure of running for him in high school and everything I did in life after that point was because of his example of leadership, motivation and discipline he instilled in us. We were basically unmanageable, but Coach Traynham kept us focused enough to believe in ourselves and put the time in to be successful.  He led us all the way to be the 1984 NCHSAA 3A State Runner-ups in Cross-Country. I have so many great memories of his come backs and one liners that he would throw on us. Thanks for all you did for all of us, and the profound effect you had on many lives. RIP Coach, you were one of the great ones.

I am so sorry for your loss. Mr David Traynham will be greatly missed. He tought me alot about music and discipline and to annunciate my words instead of using wide and bright words. He was an inspiration to us in Chamber Choir and Summit. I pray that God will wrap his loving arms around the family and guide them through their loss of a great man. He is not suffering anymore and I can't wait to see him again in heaven.  We love y'all from  Newport, Tennessee! Andy & Sondy Lunsford

Dear family, 
I wish the blessings of peace and comfort for each of you in the passing of your father and grandfather, David,  who was an inspiration to all who knew him.  
Not only was David Traynham an excellent singer and musician but, more importantly he quietly advocated for the arts, especially choral music, with the best interest at heart for his students and singers all across North Carolina.  There were several events in Haywood County organized and led by David for students of all ages- giving them a place to 'sing and shine'.  There was no selfishness or desire to be revered in his actions, just a willingness for all to share in the gift of music.  
When David was the choral director at Tuscola and I was at Pisgah, he contacted me about renovations in the auditoriums because he wanted both schools to have the same opportunities for upgrades in our facilities.  He did not have to do that, but he saw  needs and was willing to speak up for both schools with the school board, not only out of fairness but also out of graciousness.  I appreciated his lead in that endeavor so much. 
Later, I joined the Haywood Community Chorus (which is now Haywood Choral Society) because of David.  Singing and performing under his leadership was a precious blessing that I will always hold dear.  
His legacy will live on in all who knew him and had the privilege to make music with him.

David was one of the first people welcoming me when we moved to Waynesville. I really enjoyed singing in his FUMC choir and grew to admire him as I learned more about his music work.

I first had David as a teacher in 1968/69. I believe it was his first year teaching after graduating from ECU. It was a 9th grade mixed chorus at North Asheboro Middle School. There were 14 of us, 4 boys and 10 girls. At the end of our first concert, we received a standing ovation and he turned to us and asked: “what do we do now?”  It would be the first of many encores during his career. He then moved with us to Asheboro High School where he took over the choral music program from Mary Tate Blake, a longtime teacher there. I sang in his mixed choir and small ensemble for the next three years. He took us to choral clinics at UNC Chapel Hill, all state choirs, half time at a WFU football game where we joined other high school choirs in singing the finale to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.  We won the first of many superior ratings to follow in his career. He wrote a recommendation for my nomination for a Morehead scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill where I majored in vocal performance. I didn’t end up in a music career but I have enjoyed a lifetime of music that was inspired and mentored by David. He was easily the most influential teacher in my memory and I am grateful to have known him. 
My sincere condolences to his family. 
Phil Bouldin

I had zero musical ability but was a decent runner. I had the pleasure of having David as my cross country coach my junior and senior year.  It was a blast! We had a good time. He had some great one liners and could keep you relaxed but get on you if needed.. Back when he walked often at Lake J  we were able to catch up a couple times.    Blessings to his family. Cherish the wonderful memories he left behind.

Uncle David has always been an important family member in my life. He had the voice of an Angel & could tell funny stories at the same time. Besides my late Grandmother, he was always the most Zen person at our family gatherings. Uncle David was also a great athlete. He is the only person that I know, who could punt a football 50 feet straight up into the sky for all us kids to catch when it eventually returned to Earth! Uncle David, I will miss you dearly & hope to join your choir in Heaven when the time comes! Love You, Stewart

Just a correction on Summit. I know they were performing under that name in 1980. I auditioned and performed as their drummer for the 1980- 1982 seasons. Literally, it was the best time of my life.
My senior year I worked as Mr. Traynham’s assistant and saw the most incredible things this man did behind the scenes and never wanted the credit. He was a quiet man, but with a wonderful sense of humor.

David was a wonderful man and great musician. You are in my prayers.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family . 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

The world has lost a truly great educator, mentor, and motivator. I had the pleasure of having Mr. Traynham as a director in Summit and Chamber Singers during high school. His passion for seeing his students succeed will never be matched. 
To this day, I remember lessons Mr. Traynham taught me, not just about music but life. I still compare choir directors to him almost 40 years later.
Brenda, Brian, Shannon, and Lauren, my prayers are with you all during this time. God bless you all. 
Rest easy Mr. T. I'll see you again someday and we can sing in the choir together.

I am broken to hear about this. Mr. Traynham was a very important person in my life. I love to sing and He made it possible to have my best times in high school through Summit.  So many memories … I am praying for your family.  I know he is now in no pain and has the opportunity to sing with the angels.  May we carry his love for music on, as we use the gifts and talents he grew.   May God bless you.

Brenda, Brian, Shannon, Lauren:  Your husband and  dad was one of the nicest guys ever.  At one point, he actually directed the choir at my home church, Canton First Baptist,  for an interim period.  But my memories of him center on his character and kindness,  as well as his wonderful success  in directing musical groups at Tuscola.  May God be especially close to you at this time.  Cathy Walsh

Mr. T was a phenomenal educator. I had the pleasure of being in the Chamber Choir at Tuscola High School and learning from him. He was patient and kind. He cared about his students. The world of music education was blessed to have him.

Dear Brenda and Family,
  I want to send my sincere condolences for David's passing.  Tuscola was a family of truly remarkable teachers that had the passion for education and placing students first and foremost during David's time.  I have had many conversations in the community over the years that continue to remind me what that era meant to people.
Now, David has begun his new journey with the staff of Tuscola that has past before him including my own husband - (the late David Stamey).
 David's path  on this  earth is completed and may you and your family have the strength to carry on in life as he would have wanted.  A salute to a very fine person and teacher for the Waynesville community. May David rest in peace.

Mr. Traynham was one of the most influential teachers in my high school years. Always kind, always respectful. He strived to unlock the potential in all of us. His teaching has stayed with me now for 35 years. This gentleman will be missed. Rest easy Mr. Traynham.

In March of 1980, several of Tuscola High School's choral groups boarded busses for a competition at Seminole Community College. Chamber Singers performed “How Excellent” - beginning softly, all 4 parts singing the same notes, slowly building volume through the first 19 bars when second sopranos dropped a third to start the harmony that our alto, tenor, and bass parts would soon join. Ending on a fortissimo 8-part “Amen,” the moment between the perfect harmony followed by silence was pure bliss. We had given our best performance. My heart was full of joy.

That evening, 35 Tuscola students attended the award ceremony where Summit received a plaque for the highest score in the smaller group category. We listened as third place was announced, then second place. Chamber Singers would certainly come home with first place. We smiled, waiting to hear our name, only to hear that first place was awarded to a different group. Heartbreak. No longer caring about the ceremony and wanting desperately to be anywhere but there, I missed most of what the Emcee said, only catching the last part: “…Grand Champion trophy goes to Tuscola High School Chamber Singers.”

David Traynham, your dedication to music and to students made that moment of my life possible. That emotional journey from the depths of heartache to absolute joy, just minutes in my life, is a memory I have always treasured. 10-12 years ago, while thinking about that night, I spent a few days searching for and eventually finding an SATB copy of “How Excellent” - it now sits on the music rack of my antique organ, where I see it multiple times a day. I’m sure many other students have equally vivid memories that center around you, and I hope they take time in the coming days to tell those stories. Thank you for all you did for students over the years.

Tammie Rice, Chamber Singers 1980

I'm so sorry he was one of my favorite teachers..Will be missed by many Prayers for his family 🙏

I will always remember going to flordia for competition and waiting for the results and bringing home the Grand Champson with a police escorts from the haywood county line all the way through town. He instilled a love for music . He will always be my heart as the man who instilled the love of choral music which I instilled in my two girls Thank you Mr.T.   Jan Caldwell Barden Graduate of 1980.

I absolutely loved Mr. T!  I have great memories thanks to him teaching me in concert choir, Chamber Singers & Horizons. He taught me so much about music and helped me develop my singing ability. He helped me grow more confident and be a better person. Our choral trips were so much fun!! We impressed everyone when we performed because he made us great! My best friends were made in his classes. Praying for strength & comfort for his family as well as all those who loved him.

Mr. Traynham was one of my favorite teachers in junior high and high school.  He had a knack for bringing his students out of their shells and encouraging them to be the best they could. The chorus room was full of honors and awards he helped us achieve.  His kindness knew no bounds and we all had importance in his classroom.  I am so thankful I had the privilege of being one of his students.

My dear cousins; Brian, Shannon, and Lauren, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved dad. I know that he is directing the choir of angels for the Lord in heaven. I wish I and my grandma (your mom’s sister Nancy) and my mom (your cousin Teresa) could make it to the funeral, but grandma isn’t doing well cognitively either and she refuses to travel anywhere at this point. Please know that we are praying for all of you and send our love and hugs.

I'm sorry to hear of mr T's passing.  He was more than a teacher he was a friend. TUSCOLA CLASS OF 1980.

Mr. Traynham was such an incredible man, in fact he was a legend to his family, friends and the community of Haywood County, NC. 

I am honored to have known him most of my life. His precious daughter, Lauren and I have been friends since the age of 3. We shared vacations, holidays and countless sleepovers where I got the chance to spend many precious memories with Mr. Traynham and his sweet wife Brenda. 

When Lauren and I started high school  at Tuscola, Mr. “T” became our music teacher too. 
I remember how cool it was to see him in this role, since I was used to seeing him in his living room watching a Wake Forest basketball game or working outside around his house. 
He was truly amazing, talented, encouraging, funny and genuine to all of his students. He treated everyone like family and took the time to know each and everyone around him. 

Sadly, he retired the year before Lauren and I graduated, which we both gave him a hard time about because we wanted him to continue being our music teacher our last year. 

Lauren, Brian and Shannon, I love you all and please know that my entire family is praying for you all!

Brian, Shannon, and Lauren. Your father was an absolute great man. He and your Mother have been my second parents as long as I have known Brian. Mr. Traynham has always been there for all of us "kids". He was an amazing choral director and We will miss him dearly. With love for you and all of the family, I send prayers for you all and know I have you in my thoughts daily. Your other brother Bill.

A wonderful Christian man, teacher and friend! He always encouraged students to be the best they could be!

Mr. Traynham was such an amazing leader in music, but he also taught everyone dignity and respect. I always had high. admiration for him and his leadership.  rest in peace.

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of such a wonderful teacher.  He was a huge part of my time at Tuscola.  My two favorite classes through my junior year were math and Tuscola Singers.

I happened to run into him a few years ago (and the exact timing is hard because the time warp since COVID distorts everything) and had the pleasure of thanking him for instilling a love of music that I still carry with me today.  

To the family: I know how devastating a loss this is for you.  Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

I have heard teachers say that they become teachers because they want to leave an impact on their students and share their knowledge of a subject they love. David Traynham did that. He was one of my favorite teachers. I will never forget him and all I learned from him. Heaven has a new Choral director, but we will miss him here. Condolences from the Whitner/Long/Curtis families to the Traynham family on your loss.

OBITUARY

David Charles Traynham

July 21, 1945 – March 24, 2026

Garrett Funeral Home

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