David Luce

David C. Luce, age 64, died on August 16, 2013 at his home in McMinnville. A Celebration of Life potluck will be held on Saturday, August 24 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Labyrinth at Parkview Center, 325 NE Burnett Rd., McMinnville with Chaplain Janet Hansen officiating. Interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery on Tuesday, August 27 at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Mark Pederson officiating. A memorial celebration will be held in Anchorage, Alaska in September with the time and place to be announced later.

David's inspirational journey on earth ended after a three year battle with the devastating disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He had a kind heart and adventurous spirit. David was born on August 20, 1948 in Coronado, California to Harrison Luce and Marilyn Johnson. He moved to Astoria, Oregon for high school and after high school he joined the Army, serving in Vietnam from 1970-1971, earning a Bronze Star. He was stationed in Germany and Panama. David moved back to Portland where he received his Associates' Degree in Aviation Technology. He ventured to Alaska in 1983 to work on the Valdez Oil Spill. While there, he fell in love with Alaska. During those years in Alaska he worked as a helicopter technician and also became a Yoga Master Teacher. David met Kathleen Gibson in 1994 and they were married in 2004. In 2011 David was offered the position of Director of Maintenance at Evergreen International so he and Kathleen moved to McMinnville, OR.

David played the guitar and bass in bands, did massage therapy and later found joy in making RC Aircraft and scale modeling. He approached each day with enthusiasm, joy and humor. He was so courageous he displayed love, compassion and gratitude each day. The disease took his body, but never took away his bright smile. He is free now and will long be remembered.

David is survived by his wife, Kathleen Gibson, McMinnville; daughter, Melissa Luce-Dittbrender, Palmer, AK; sisters, Lisa Smart, Cottage Grove, Deb Scott, Eugene, Chari Grewe, Louis Park, MN, Brenda Kruse, Fresno, CA; and brother, Wayne Keeton, Burleson, TX; 5 grandchildren and 18 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Jeremy Luce; mother, Marilyn Scott and father, Harrison Luce and sister, Mindy Pappas.

Our gratitude goes out to the Portland VA Clinic, the ALS Association, Visiting Willamette Hospice Angels, Lynn Smart and many others on "Team David".

Memorial contributions may be made to Walk To Defeat ALS.Org, Team David and Kathleen Luce in care of Macy & Son. To leave online condolences, visit www.macyandson.com.