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David GRUBBS Obituary
News Death Notice
GRUBBS, David April 12, 1935 - May 11, 2015 James David Grubbs, 80, of Laguna Beach passed away peacefully on Monday, May 11, 2015, with his wife of 29 years, Melinda by his side. David was born April 12, 1935 in Tallahassee, Florida to J.D. and Inez Grubbs. After winning a state wide speech contest at Winona Lake Indiana in 1951, he was personally commissioned into the ministry by Billy Graham that day. He chose to turn down a fully funded scholarship to Purdue University's Pre Law Program to attend his denominations university. David graduated from Anderson University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 1974 by the university. An ordained minister for over 50 years, he served as Senior Pastor of the First Church of God in Kingsport, Tennessee (now Kingsport Community Church of God) for 13 years, then Senior Pastor of Salem Church of God in Dayton, Ohio for 15 years. In 1990 he founded David Grubbs and Associates, a consulting and fundraising firm specializing in raising major gifts for churches, schools, universities, and civic organizations. David had a passion to help others realize their dreams. David was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mable Prather. He is survived by his wife, Melinda, five sons: Marty Grubbs (Kim) of Oklahoma City, OK; Joel Grubbs (Julie) of Oklahoma City, OK; Ben Sumner of Port Charlotte, FL; George Sumner (Lauren) of Laguna Beach, Curt Sumner (Tiffany) of Costa Mesa, and daughter Corrie Sumner Johnson (Jamie) of Santa Ana. David adored his large family which included eleven grandchildren, Micah and Abigail Johnson, Ford and Kennedy Sumner, Lana Micke, Josh, Sydney & Shelby Grubbs, Cole Grubbs, Tyler Grubbs (Brittany), Kristin Grubbs-Turner (Harrison); great grandson Teagan James Grubbs; two brothers, Larry Grubbs (Beverly) of Indianapolis, Dale Grubbs (Joyce) of Anderson, IN; numerous treasured cousins, nieces and nephews. David will be deeply missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: Anderson University Student Aid fund, 1100 E. Fifth Street, Anderson, Indiana. 46012. His services will be on June 1, at 11:00 am at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, California.
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Memories and Condolences
for David GRUBBS
5 Entries
Chaplain (LTC-R) Dixey R. Behnken, U. S. Arm, I
September 2, 2023
I met Brother Grubbs at the age of 18 in 1968 shortly after my conversion to Christ. Pastor Grubbs had built Salem Ave Church of God in Dayton,Ohio He baptized me there and mentored me Christian in pastoring and discipled me throughout his life. In 1983, David invited me to come on board as pastor to college youth for my internship at Asbury Seminary in my Senior Year. He steered me toward Asbury. The following 26 years I served as an Army Chaplain. David will always have a special place in my heart .
todd shilt
June 4, 2015
Pastor Grubbs was always nice and upbeat with me. He was concerned with my safety when I was a janitor and concerned with my health and called me from California when I was very sick. A really nice guy!
bev harris
May 17, 2015
I will always have fond memories of pastor grubbs from the old salem ave church of god. That is where I got married. Pastor grubbs could not do the ceremony so michael kersh did the honors. He was a great pastor and I will always fondly remember him. May you, his family find comfort in knowing how many lives he touch......god bless you all.
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Joe and Jane DeLaney
May 17, 2015
Marty and Joey,
So sorry to hear the passing of your dad. As we remember him as Pastor Grubbs he will always have a special place in our hearts.
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