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BORN
1993
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
David Brabander Obituary
David was serving his first tour in Afghanistan, with the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division; deployed from Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. He had expressed a true desire to better the world with his military service.
David was a loving family man and devoted friend. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, hike and shoot. He had a humorous love for rubber duckies that his loved ones will always remember with a smile.
David is survived by his father, Adam L. Brabander; stepmother, Nancy E. Brabander; sister, Brittany R. Hunnings; grandmother, Rena A. Hite; great-uncle, Eugene F. Bourdeau Jr.; grandfather, William E. Busbee; niece, Alyssa R. Hunnings; uncle, Daniel D. Allemani; and special friend, Jacob M. Hunnings. He was preceded in death by his mother, Tamara L. Bryant. David touched so many lives in a positive way it would be impossible to name them all.
R.I.P. David Thomas Brabander. You are sorely missed, greatly loved and always remembered.
A memorial service with military honors will be held at the Arctic Warrior Chapel on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, at 11:30 a.m., with burial services to follow at 1 p.m. Those wishing to attend should meet at the JBER-Richardson entrance at 10:30 a.m. Please park along the tree line to the right of the Welcome Center as you approach the gate. A military Escort will lead you to the Post Chapel.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at 3 p.m., at the American Legion, Post 15 in Palmer, Alaska. All who wish to attend are welcome.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Brabander
Sponsored by G-mammie.
G-mammy
October 16, 2021
Your birthday is next week. I´ll be recovering from a surgery so I´m posting your birthday wishes now so as not to miss that most important day for me sending you special thoughts on 10/24/93. I love and miss you everyday. Several of your "brother´s in arms" stay in touch with me still. Their continuing to stay in touch with me says so much about your influence on their young lives. I´m glad for their calls...they always bring me closer to you when I think of your last hours of life on this earth being spent with them. You touched so many lives in special ways I know that memories of you will be shared over many generations. My pride in you continues to grow even after losing you. It´s my hope that I managed to do enough good in my life to make up for stupid not so good behavior in my youth giving me the opportunity to see you again some day. I love you my special young man.
May 26, 2020
I think of you everyday my beloved grandson. Your Gmammy misses you to light up my life with your loving ways. You are forever in my heart and on my mind. Everyone tells me I need to move on from the tragedy of losing you and that time will heal....still waiting for the healing to happen. Not there yet.❤❤❤
Lauren Hunnings
May 24, 2020
Miss you brother, thank you for service we will always remember and miss you down here. There has been alot of things that happened since you have been gone that would have been so much better if you were still here with us. Happy memorial day.
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Nancy Nickles
December 14, 2019
I worked with David at Sears. We kept in touch over the military years. He found his purpose and was a good man and soldier. I really miss him. God keeps him safe now.
Lauren Hunnings
March 15, 2019
Just thinking of old times, missing you. Everyone still misses you bro. Spring is finally here, everything is nice and muddy , would have been a good mudding day its 75 and sunny. But its probably always 75 and sunny in heaven say hi to everyone for me. Love you miss you bro
Joe McIntosh
March 14, 2019
Rena: I am so sorry. Though it has been years I still remember family friends and search for them occasionally and found this heart breaking obituary. I knew from Adam's name it had to be you. I hope you are well, I have fond memories of you in New Jersey and in Grand Island, NE. [email protected]
Lauren Hunnings
December 5, 2018
David hard to believe its been almost a year since you left. You have been missed so dearly down here by everyone. I catch myself looking back at photos and your voice pops in my head and its normally you saying something inappropriate as you always did but hey that was you. Still see you wearing Alyssa Roses stretched out broken ball on your head as hat like it was yesterday, when that was so many christmas's ago. Its just not the same anymore without you here. Hope you have a good christmas with your mom and grandparents, and friends in heaven.
Rena Hite
December 4, 2018
My sweet grandson..your G-mammie misses you so. My heart is forever broken and my days are lonely and sad knowing you wont be coming through the door anymore calling out your special name for me...G-mammie. I think of you often..daily..tears still fall but you left me with 24 years of sweet memories. Seven days from today it will be one year ago you went to be with your mother, Tammy, and your great-grandparents who loved you so. On Dec. 11, 2018 I'll be at the cemetary to leave flowers on your final resting site. Sending you,wherever you are, all my love forever....
Lauren Hunnings
February 14, 2018
Happy Valentines Day David, we sure do miss you down here, hope your having a good one with family.
February 13, 2018
My heartfelt sympathy to the family during this difficult time.I hope you will find comfort in God's promise at John 11:24,25 Knowing that there is a future for the one. We have lost in death can be reassuring.-- VO
January 18, 2018
I wanted to send my condolences to your family. I worked with David at Sears and we became good friends. He was so funny and seemed to be seeking a purpose in life. He found it in the Army. We kept in touch and was supposed to have a glass of wine and chat when he got back. Well, I will have that glass for you! I will miss you!
Charlie Gili
January 11, 2018
Hello,
We would like to express our deepest condolences and also let the Brabander Family and friends know that we will be sending Care Packages to deployed troops this week and we'll be dedicating several of these to your loved one. Each package will carry the name, photo and the hometown of David Thomas Brabander US Army Staff Sergeant. We realize that this is a small tribute, but we do this with all respect and sincerity and we want you to know that it is made possible by thousands of like-minded individuals from across the American youth hockey community. We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you safe and strong.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of the US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign
Michelle Himel
December 31, 2017
David touched the heart of every single one of my family members (some of which meld into your family). I'll miss the sound of his truck at 1:00 am trying to be quiet coming down the driveway, lights off visiting the boys. I'll miss him waltzing in the door and me saying, you know you don't live here, right? I'll miss discussing stupid movies and which ones we definitely should watch. I'll miss him scrounging through the candy cabinet. Even shooting with Jacob out back. I'll miss him at Christmas, just when I realized he wasn't fond of the Underarmour hoodies I kept getting him. Mostly I'll miss the happiness he brought to my family. I'll love him always and he's missed beyond measure. He was a remarkable young man.
Liz Luna
December 31, 2017
Sweet David. I remember when you and your G-Mammie came to Nebraska to see me. The love between the two of you was precious and beautiful. Family I am so sorry for your loss David is and was a very special young man
Rena Hite
December 30, 2017
For my strong handsome grandson, I love you so. You are forever in my heart and always on my mind.
G-mammie
December 29, 2017
Dear Rena. So sorry to hear of this tragic accident. The military personnel live in dangerous times just as your father and myself did. I lost my youngest daughter last June and take comfort in knowing she now lives in a much better place and that we will be together again later. This thought comforts me and it will also give you some comfort. Love you, Maurice
December 28, 2017
Please accept my sincere condolence. Please be comforted by the words recorded in the Bible at Isaiah 61:1-2: "God has sent his son to bind up the broken-hearted and comfort all who mourn."
--DP
Chris Marlow
December 27, 2017
My son, Anthony, was in the back of the truck that overturned. Our family, including Anthony, has been praying for all of you who lost David in this tragic accident.
Kimberly Russell
December 26, 2017
Adam and family, I am so very, very sorry for your loss. I can't begin to imagine the pain and grief you are feeling. I never met David but Adam would always light up with pride and love when he spoke of him. My deepest condolences to all of you that shared light and love with this amazing man.
Philip Johnson
December 23, 2017
I'm so terribly sorry for your loss. I didn't know David but nonetheless I cried when I learned of his passing, for I knew his kind. My son, Mark, served with David in the 3509, was discharged in July and died in a terrible accident in August. Needless to say, we know what you're going through. If you ever want to talk I am at your service. May God bless you and your family.
Lauren Hunnings
December 22, 2017
We are all gonna miss you David, thank you for keeping us safe. see you on the otherside bro.
Debbi Cheek
December 22, 2017
Oh Rena, so sorry for this tremendous loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the rest of the family during this time of grief. We love you all!
Chuck Davison
December 21, 2017
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I realize nothing I say will really help, but I wanted to thank you and your family for the endless sacrifice of time, separation and his life in protecting me, my wife, our four girls and ultimately our country. Today we pause to honor all of you for the freedoms we enjoy that are so clearly not free. May we never forget and may God hold you and the family close in your greatest time of need and remind you how much you are loved. Chuck Jr. Davison
December 21, 2017
I am so very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the weeks and months to follow, from the loving promise of seeing our loved ones again (John 6:40). Please accept my deepest condolences.
Allyson Hamby Hirschmann
December 21, 2017
I'm so terribly, terribly sorry Rena & family for this saddest of losses. We thank him and your family for giving the gravest and ultimate sacrifice he made. I pray that your family will find some peace.
Army ducks
Kathleen Raynor
December 21, 2017
Sending prayers for family and friends. I love David like a son and we are going to miss him tremendously. I have lots of fond memories of David and the boys. I am so proud of the man he became. I am honored that he was apart of our family. This is a picture of the last ducks I got him.
Aaron and Carmen Busbee
December 21, 2017
So sorry for your loss. Though our words can do so little, we hope our thoughts and prayers will support you at this time. With Love and Sympathy.
Shirley Novak
December 21, 2017
We are so sorry for the loss of David. I know your hearts are breaking. May his memories comfort you in the days and years to come.
December 21, 2017
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
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