David Wayne North

1948 - 2024

David Wayne North, a former Yucca Valley contractor known for his love of family, his strong work ethic, and his overwhelming generosity, passed away March 30, 2024, after a prolonged battle with leukemia and heart disease.
A high desert resident for 40 years, David's life was filled with joy and professional success, and he truly lived and enjoyed every minute. His close-knit family was most valuable to him.
David was born July 23, 1948, in Lynwood, California, to Wayne and Shirley North. He was the youngest of six children and was always surrounded by friends and family. Many of those friendships lasted far into adulthood, and he treasured those relationships.
David's father died when he was 7, and the young boy later gained a wonderful stepfather, Tommy McDaniel, and eventually, two more siblings. David and Tommy had a special bond and talked every week until David's passing.
A 1966 graduate of Bell Gardens High School, David married young and became a father at 18 to daughter Lisa in 1967, followed two years later by her sister, Kim. They both credit him with teaching them to be self-sufficient and instilling a strong work ethic. He is fondly remembered as a parent who would not give up on you.
During those early married years while living in Downey, he worked a variety of jobs, including setting tile and unloading trains. He received his contractor's license at age 27 and started Delway Construction in Santa Fe Springs, California. Delway later became Sunbelt Construction.
In 1981, David set his sights on Yucca Valley and began commuting from the LA/Orange County area to build homes. He moved permanently to Yucca Valley in 1984, and Sunbelt is well known in the area for the numerous projects completed since then.
In 2003, David was diagnosed with leukemia, and was given 5-8 years to live. Boy, did he prove those doctors wrong! He retired from construction at that time, but, in true David style, didn't stop working. For the rest of his life, he handled bookkeeping and payroll for Dillon Concrete Co.
David married the love of his life, Kym Hamon, in 1985, and gained a son, Levi. David and Kym enjoyed a full life during their decades together, traveling numerous times to Hawaii and Rosarita Beach, Mexico, as well as to New York, Italy and to holy sites in Israel. The pair owned a motor home for many years and their travels took them throughout the United States. They also enjoyed spending time with family at two homes they built in Big Bear.
Traveling was just one of his many interests. He had a strong competitive streak and enjoyed participating in a bowling league, snow skiing, camping, riding sand rails and Harleys, and being part of a car club. He was a fan of most professional sports, but truly loved the Dodgers, having been a fan since he was 6 years old. He looked forward to fishing trips, playing golf, belonging to several area country clubs. As a young man, he played for two AAA baseball teams, the Hair Bears and Whip It. (He even played against actor Tom Selleck!)
New joy entered David's life when he became a grandpa, and he traveled to activities near and far, supporting each of his grandchildren in numerous sports and endeavors. He also found peace and inspiration in attending Victory Life Foursquare Church in Yucca Valley.
David is remembered as a kind, loving, sentimental, forgiving, and trusting man, who was always willing to give a second chance and a hand up. He never held a grudge and was willing to offer an apology when needed. He is dearly missed and his absence has left a great hole in so many lives.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Gary North, Sharon McDaniel, Stevie North and Judy Sanderson. He is survived by wife Kym; daughters Lisa (Al) Tavares and Kim (Randy) Harrison, and son Levi (Sharon) North; grandchildren Cole (Lilli) Harrison, Allisa Tavares (Chance Leach), Chase (Carley) Harrison, and Levi and Lacey North; great-grandchildren Zade and Sutter Harrison, Haven Harrison and Hudson Leach. All are from Yucca Valley.
Also surviving are his siblings Leslie Nelson of Maricopa, Arizona, Chris McDaniel of Wickenburg, Arizona, Karla McDaniel of Twentynine Palms, and many, many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Missing him dearly are dogs Boogie and Sparrow and tortoise, Masada.
A celebration of life is planned for 10 a.m. May 4 at Joshua Springs Calvary Chapel, followed by a reception in the church courtyard.