David was the third child of Ann and Archie Arkills, born in Spokane, WA. Dave graduated from Lewis & Clark high school in 1961. Dave attended Eastern Washington State College and just before graduation joined the National Guard where he attended Officer Training School at Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1968 he married Patricia Wells. While serving in the Guard for 14 years he was a Company Commander of infantry, MPs, and a tank division. During that time he had two sons, Brian and Jeff.
Dave began working as a loan officer at First Federal Savings & Loan in Walla Walla in 1974. Dave opened and managed a new branch in Sunnyside, WA in 1976, and was named Yakima Division Manager in 1981. As the bank grew it went stock and the bank name changed to Banner Bank. Soon after Dave was named senior vice president over the debit side of the bank, with responsibilities that included traveling to every branch every month until he left the bank in 2003. Soon after, his church, First Presbyterian had a need, and Dave was asked to become administrator. He served there for several years.
Being very active in the communities where he lived, Dave was a Rotarian, being a Paul Harris fellow, served on the Yakima Symphony Board, served and chaired many hospital boards in Sunnyside and Yakima. He was instrumental in founding the Yakima Osteopathic Foundation, which eventually helped with the foundation of the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima.
Dave was a very active member of his church community, serving as a ruling elder for many years at Sunnyside Presbyterian and First Presbyterian (Yakima), with responsibilities for business, finance, children’s ministry, and personnel. Dave chaired the stewardship committee for 7 years and was known as “Mr. Stewardship.” He helped lead 3 building fund campaigns and was instrumental in finding a financial vehicle that enabled sufficient funds to be raised.
Dave is survived by: wife, Patricia Arkills; sons, Brian Arkills (wife, Janet), and Jeff Arkills (wife, Brooke); grandchildren, Maya, Sierra, Luke, and Micah. Surviving brothers all from Spokane are: Duane Arkills (wife Marnene), Jack Arkills (wife Janet), and Ron Arkills (wife Marlene).
Dave’s memorial service will be Saturday, June 23 @ 1:00 p.m. at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church, 9 South 8th Ave, Yakima. Arrangements are being made by Keith & Keith Funeral Home. Any donation may be made to Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church or Ghormley Meadows.
