David Lee Stallsworth

David passed away in his sleep at his home in Dupont on February 25, 2026, at the age of 88. He was born on November 16, 1937, on the family farm south of Eckley, Colorado. He was the third child of Sherman and Letha Caroline Rhoads Stallsworth. In 1941, the family moved to Brighton, Colorado and later to the Adams City area in 1944 to work on Alfred Krough’s Hog Ranch. In 1946, they bought land on 6950 Forest Street and they built their home out of cinder blocks, moving in on August 18th of that year.

He graduated from Adams City High School in 1956.

Throughout his life, David worked many jobs. Most notably, he was a Snap-on Tool Sales Representative with a route around the old Stapleton Airport area from 1963 to 1973 – for those of you who knew David, he loved his Snap-On Tools. He went on to work for Nobel-Sysco as a maintenance mechanic, retiring later in November 1999, leaving with many stories of the maintenance crew. He took immense pride in being an active member of Teamster Union #435 later changed to #455. He would regularly attend the monthly meetings of retired Teamsters – the last meeting he attended was January 16, 2026.

David’s life was deeply rooted in family. His first marriage was to Lela Conger on October 4, 1956. They had two children: Deborah and Delbert. He shared a special lifelong friendship with Lela’s brother, Larry – known to many as “Uncle Larry.” They kept themselves busy by tinkering with tools, toys, and cars. They rebuilt Larry’s 1957 Chevy 3100 pick-up truck. After that they started rebuilding David’s 1951 Chevy 3600 Truck. If it had an engine, he loved to take it apart and put it back together. This was David’s passion.

His second marriage was to Jane Dahlin on March 23, 1984. He took Jane’s children, Michele and Michael, under his wing with being a father and role model.

David showed love, grace, and wisdom to his grandchildren, April, Jennifer, Jonathan, Jacob, Tyler, Olive, Henry, Charles and Jared. Letting them ride on the lawn mower was often their first “driving” experience as well as playing with his tools – as long as nobody got hurt, he was a happy man!

David was a friend and teacher to many. If you told him something was broken and can’t be fixed, he took that as a challenge. He would always find a way to fix it. If you asked him how he was, he would say “I’m ornery and hard to get along with.” Regardless of how he felt. He would always joke and pick on you. That was his sign of love for you. He’d always say “If I didn’t pick on you, you wouldn’t know what to do.”

In 1984 he bought his first Commadore 64 computer and taught himself how to use it.

In 1986 David started the reunion committee for Adams City High School Class of 1956. He proudly served on the Annual Alumni Board for the all-school reunion as well. He looked forward to the reunions and seeing his classmates and teachers.

He is survived by his wife and caregiver, Jane; daughter, Deborah (Galen) Phillips; son, Delbert (Josie) Stallsworth; stepdaughter, Michele (Ryan) Gohl; stepson, Michael (Rachel) Gummerson; nine grandchildren and many others who called him dad, grandpa, teacher, and friend.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Martha; brothers, Wayne and Danny.

His life reminds us that love is shown through actions, challenging work, loyalty, fixing what is broke, and laughter shared in garages and backyards.

Though we will miss his jokes, his wisdom, and the sound of his tools at work, his legacy lives on in the lives he shaped and the love he gave so freely.

Rest easy David.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day -and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.