DAVID C. WALSH

David C. Walsh, age 47, died Thursday, January 3, 2013 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, SC after a tragic motorcycle accident.

Born in Douglas, Wyoming, he was the son of Melvin and Karen Walsh of Burbank, WA. David graduated from Columbia Burbank High School in 1983. In his school years he enjoyed Scouts, showing steers in 4-H, band, basketball and track. He also worked on the Pit Crew for John Eynon Racing, which he greatly enjoyed. After graduating he attended Arizona Automotive Institute and returned to work as a mechanic for A1 Tire, Les Schwab and Perfection Tire in the Tri Cities. In 1986 he married Cathy Violette and together they had 2 beautiful children. He spent several years working for various companies in home and road construction and during this time he met and married Lori Mattson. He later took a job with TIC, working on the Budweiser plant in Idaho and oil refineries in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and California. At the time of his death, he was working for Dunes Cycle in Myrtle Beach, SC; an area and a job that he considered "paradise".

David had a particular fondness for speed. It started with horses and bicycles but grew to dirt bikes and cars, then race cars and street bikes. To know "Dave", "stick", "uncle Dado", was to love him. He had a memorable grin and an infectious laugh. He was always willing to help anyone in need and had a knack for lifting people's spirits. He loved and treated many children as if they were his own and was never too busy to play. He will be sorely missed from coast to coast.

Surviving in addition to his parents are his sisters, Tamara Mearig of Cleveland, OH, Tonia Rivas (Floyd) of Burbank, WA and Angela Tschacher of Billings, MT; children, Kassandra Lynn Bell (Chris) of Burbank, WA and Cody Michael Dow of Richland, WA and one grandchild, Lily Rae Bell; nieces and nephews, Briana Rivas, Kameo Rivas, Stefanie Tschacher, Chris Tschacher and Collin Dow; Lori's children, Ashley, Jessica, Tim and Bryan and her grandchildren, Damien, Kanisha, Mercy, Treshawn and McKayla, along with a large number of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Charles Maurice Walsh, Margaret Dorothy Walsh, Gifford V. Smith and Helen M. Smith.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 am Saturday January 19th 2013 in the Burbank High School auditorium. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Toys for Tots or a charity of your choice.