David Pichard

1935 - 2016

David Williamson Pichard

David Williamson Pichard, 80, of Tallahassee, passed away on June 9th in his home in Tallahassee, Florida, surrounded by his family. He was a much loved father, grandfather, and husband, and an active member of Fellowship Baptist Church.

David was born on December 3, 1935 to Alphonse and Ruth Pichard. The youngest of six children, he grew up on his family's property on Park Avenue, spending summers at the family cottage in Lanark. David quickly developed a love of the sea: fishing, skiing, and swimming in the waters of Apalachicola Bay throughout his life.

David graduated from Leon High School in 1953. He then enrolled in college, serving in the Naval Reserves. He then proudly served two years active duty in the Navy, stationed in Naples, Italy. Upon his honorable discharge, he completed a BS in Business and Insurance at Florida State University. After marrying his wife Lynette, David worked for the Florida State Division of Insurance and Commonwealth Corporation before opening his own agency in 1970. Pichard Insurance Agency offered David the opportunity to do what he loved most: helping people protect their assets and loved ones. His success in the agency, still actively running after 45 years, came from his personal care of clients, treating them as friends and family members.

David served in leadership roles in the insurance industry and throughout his life. He served on the board of directors and as an officer of the North Florida Safety Council. He was also actively involved in the Independent Insurance Agents of Tallahassee and was a founding member and first chair in the Shell Point Beach Conch Ensemble.

Actively involved in Fellowship Baptist Church, David served as a deacon, on numerous committees, and as chief bottle washer for most social activities. Deeply committed to the church's prison ministry, David drove the church van every Sunday morning and led the Thursday night Bible study at the Tallahassee Work Release Center for over 20 years, touching many lives, mentoring many who transitioned successfully into productive business owners and hard-working members of society.

David was preceded in death by his brothers Clarence, Marion, Gordon, Kenneth, and sister Francis Hammond and his parents Alphonse and Ruth (Jones) Pichard. David is survived by his devoted wife Lynette, his four children Abbie Hodge (Paul), Leisa Pichard, Laura Pichard-Murphy (Dave), and David W. Pichard II (Ellyse Mazzi), five grandchildren Patrick and Shannon Hodge, Carter Richeson, and Eli and Emma Murphy, nephew Brent Pichard, niece Gaye Washington, special friend Andre Brown, and many great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Culley's, Riggins Road on Sunday June 12, 2016 from 6pm until 8pm. Funeral services will be Monday June 13, 2016 at Fellowship Baptist Church on North Monroe at 2pm with graveside services at Oakland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be made in David's honor to the Fellowship Hall Building Fund or Prison Ministry Trust of Fellowship Baptist Church, 3705 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL, 32303.