Jonathan D Waltz

Jonathan David Waltz - May 18, 1963 - April 21, 2022

David Waltz, of Silver City, NM, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 21, 2022, from complications of late-stage cancer. After breaking his back on the job with a major hardware store after moving to NM, he became well enough to work independently for a time providing specialty firewood to exclusive New Mexico clientele, but as health declined, he assisted with janitorial services for various companies. Having developed a passion for language as a youth, he became an avid reader and writer, passionately devouring books on every subject, especially History. With a distinguished vocabulary, he enjoyed emailing and calling in occasionally to the Rush Limbaugh Show, and David’s commentary on the EIB was featured in an article in a local newspaper in the 90’s, even.  Ruggedly independent, he served his country in the Army after high school to before graduating Summa Cum Laude from Cedarville College, excelling in double majors of Psychology and Education with a minor in his favorite subject of History. His book of poetry remained unpublished due to some publisher issues, but he delighted friends and family with his exceptionally skillful poetry, and with his vibrant, descriptive long letters which he wrote by hand up until the end of his life. His acquaintances were often regaled with his colorful tales of his nature adventures, Army years and farm life. A proficient and award-winning archer and hunter for sport, he truly had a love and reverence for all wildlife. As a real-life “Dr. Doolittle”, he  mastered many “animal languages”, skillfully beckoning to creatures who would even alight on him in the Wild. His closest friends and kin fondly remember him teaching them fishing and hunting skills. In his last years, David delighted in the quirky natures of his flock of chickens, naming and knowing each of his hens’ personalities ( like “Prudence”, “Molly”), and relished adopting stray kittens.  

But David’s most treasured volume, he would tell you, was the Holy Bible. He longed to be holy, and indeed, lived a life of moral purity and physical restraint. Nary a curse word crossed his lips in his lifetime, and in recent months, he seemed to have Heaven much more on his mind. He would request prayer for the needs of co-workers, wanting them to have the hope that he himself possessed, and was greatly concerned for the souls of all friends. Two weeks before his death, the words in his journal were recorded: “....I can see God Almighty has me safely in the hollow of His palm…”.

The family thanks all of those relatives who intentionally took the time to correspond with David, especially in this past year; Dawn believes this is truly what kept him pressing on, mentally, despite a number of chronic and physical conditions. We would also wish to acknowledge the Spirit-led couple, Ana and Bruce, true “good Samaritans” who assisted David in his final hours of need, then cared well for Dawn and Terry in New Mexico; the rewards of family and such friends --and corresponding family members--await in Heaven.

David was preceded in death by his mother and father, Dennis and Virginia Waltz, and leaves behind: sister Dawn W. Randolph and Terry of North Carolina, niece Celestia, brother Dan from Arizona, and sister Diana (and Rick) Paul of Michigan, niece Andrea. A memorial service (likely with military honors), has not yet been planned, but will be made known at a later time and date.