David Pointer

TAMPA, Fla. — Reverend David Michael Pointer finished his race on April 18, 2014. He was born on September 11, 1943, in Dayton, Ohio, to Leslie Edward and Juanita Jackson Pointer. He leaves behind the lasting legacy of a family who loved him beyond measure. He is survived by Jo Ann, his wife of 52 years, and his 11 children: Mike and wife, Ann; Michele; Jonathan and wife, Elizabeth; Joshua and wife, Rie; Elizabeth and husband, Hugh; Carolyn and husband, Rob; Mark; Nicole; Katelyn; Jack; and Kent. In addition, he is survived by 20 grandchildren: Martha, John, Matthew, Abigail, Jordyn, Andrew, Benjamin, Nathaniel, Sarah, Ethan, Zoe, Ian, Caleb, Jonah, Emma, Olivia, Chloe, Josiah, Abigail, Amelia, and one great-grandchild, Ava. He is also survived by his mother, Juanita Hoop, and five siblings: Tony Hickman, Terry Bowden, Rick Henderson, Vaughn Hoop, and Vonda Hoop. David was an engineer at Dayton Power & Light until he entered the ministry. He received his Bachelor of Theology from Dayton Bible College in 1967 and went on to become dean and professor of theology at the college. He founded and served as pastor of Grace Community Church in Xenia, Ohio for 18 years. During the course of his ministry in Xenia, he served as chaplain at Greene Memorial Hospital, president of Xenia Area Association of Churches, and director of distribution for Billy Graham Films. He also spearheaded a relief effort following the 1974 Xenia tornado, established a ministry for Alzheimer's patients, and founded a crisis pregnancy center, The Moses Project. In 1986, the Pointer family moved to Tampa, Florida to establish a new ministry. He founded Grace Evangelical Church where he served as pastor for the last 28 years. He served as a foster parent to medically complex children for the last 23 years and also started a homeless outreach ministry. The verse that best typifies the legacy David left to his family and congregation is found in II Samuel 3:38: "Know ye not that there is a prince and great man fallen this day…" In honor of that legacy, a memorial service will be held on May 10, 2014, at 12:00 p.m. at Grace Evangelical Church, 1420 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33602. Condolences can be expressed at www.blountcurrywest.com