Alexander D. Tarker
Alexander D. Tarker
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Alexander Tarker Obituary
Alexander David "Dave" Tarker of Madison passed away Saturday while recovering from cardiovascular surgery. He was born in Brentwood, Penn., on Oct. 29, 1944. He was 59. He was a devoted sports fan, famous for his Pittsburgh Steelers parties, and he was an avid golfer, bowler and baseball player. Most weekends his friends and neighbors would find him in his yard picking up sticks or waking up the neighborhood with his leaf blower. He was always quick with a laugh, generous with his friends and glad to lend a helping hand. He not only belonged to a great many organizations but he also contributed to their success with his time and work as well. He was a devoted father who raised his son as a single parent. His family, friends, and co-workers will be sharing loving stories about him for years to come. Dave was a 20 year veteran of the Army, which included a tour of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot for which he received several medals including the Bronze Star and Air Medal for "meritorious achievement in support of combat forces." He was also with the 7th Signal Corps Command. After retiring from the Army, Mr. Tarker worked at Boeing for 17 years on a variety of defense projects and the Space Station program. He recently retired from Boeing and started a third career with SAIC. His education included a BA in business administration from Saint Leo College, a second BA in computer science from Athens State College, an MBA on contact management from Florida Institute of Technology, and he earned his Certified Manager Designation from The Institute of Certified Professional Managers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander "Fuzzy" and Ruth; his uncles, Bill, Eddie, Norman, Jim, Reid and Ebby; his aunt, Dorothy; and his grandchildren, Sam and Isaac. He is survived by his son, Danny and his wife, Mikala; granddaughter, Alexandra; sister, Barbara; and his aunts, Grace, Lois, Mary and Marie; and several cousins and many friends. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Spry Funeral Home. Funeral services with full military honors will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Interment will be in Pittsburgh, Penn. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a charity in Dave's name.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jana (Blundell)Warmouth
September 16, 2004
I remember Dave yelling, "Hey, Pittsburgh! We shared the same city and team (Steelers), and our sons were friends when they were younger. He was a good person and will be missed by many.
Robert Obergfell
September 14, 2004
Regina and I will miss you dearly. You were my golf partner a number of times and we might not have won too many times but had great fun everytime we played. You were a great friend and I know that your golf swing will improve up in heaven.
Keith Wilson
September 10, 2004
Dave and I became acquainted about ten years ago at one of the famous "Go Steelers" parties. Since then, Dave and I have golfed, attended New Year's parties, viewed boxing, and bent elbows together - among other things. Since moving out west in 1998, I've visited Dave periodically and his door was always open to my family and I. I had hoped that Dave might visit Seattle, but the opportunity did not materialize. I will miss the daily emails from Dave, the occasional golf game and hand shake from Dave, and all the fellowship he hosted during football season. He was meticulous about his yard, his appearance, and his golf swing. Most of all, I will miss Dave's laughter. It was unique and genuine.
Rest in Peace Dave
Delynn Huskey
September 10, 2004
Dave was a very kind and generous man. I consider my life better having known him. I will think of him fondly each time I see a sticker!
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Traci Stone
September 10, 2004
I am truly blessed to have known such a sweet and kind person. God bless you and your family.
Pat Herring
September 9, 2004
How does one begin to speak of a 25 year friendship that ended much to early? Thank you, Dave, for the memories and the difference you made in my life. You will be missed.
Shirley Steele
September 9, 2004
One of the first people I met when I came to Boeing. Dave really knew how to live life to the fullest! What a great person he was. He leaves behind many friends. We will remember him as a caring, generous one-of-a-kind gentlemen in the truest sense of the word. Please know we all grieve with you and we will remember Dave always!!
Susan Adams
September 9, 2004
Dave,
I have known you since 1989. The first time I met you I was amazed at the Orange stuff in your cubicle. Then when you had a party at your house you also had an "Orange Room" too. Pretty cool. You will truly be missed. God bless your family and all that love you. Sleep well in God's arms, until we meet again.
Jerry Sanderson
September 9, 2004
Dave will be missed by many here at Boeing. He was genuinely an all around good guy and was a lot of fun to be around. I bowled with him for a few years and never saw him in a bad mood or cussing the game like so many of us did. Orange will never be the same.
The Staff of Farnsworth Funeral Home
September 9, 2004
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Ron Herrington,Sr.
September 8, 2004
Dave The bowling league will not be the same without you. I enjoyed the conversations that we shared for the last 4yrs.
May God Bless you and your family in these times.
I wish that I could have the pleasue of knowing you longer.
Rebecca Pettit
September 8, 2004
A great guy from my part of the country who gave great hugs. He will be truely missed.
Rick and d'Gail Rush
September 8, 2004
Dave was a good friend and we both feel fortunate to have known him. He truly enjoyed people and would light up a room (literally) when he entered. We will miss his fondness for everything orange, his laughter, his unique golf swing, and most of all, his friendship. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family who should know how much of a special person Dave was in our lives.
BETTY CAMPBELL
September 8, 2004
DAVE
YOU ARE GOING TO BE MISS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND TAKE CARE OF YOU.
Cynthia McCafferty
September 8, 2004
I'll miss Dave's sense of humor, quick smile, kindness, his relentless orange 'everything', and the food that I always found in or near his office! Even though I didn't know him well, he has left a lasting impression on me as someone who loved life, dearly loved his family, and truly embraced life. He will be greatly missed.
Joanne (Martin) Scudder
September 8, 2004
Before I retired in 1998, I worked somewhat near Dave in one of the Boeing Jetplex buildings. I remember him well; I knew him little. However, I can easily recall his often cheery demeanor, his obvious passion for the Tennessee Vols, and his open manner toward most everyone he knew. I am saddened to hear of his passing. My sincere sympathy extends to all of you who are grieving during this time of change. May the sorrows of your last goodbyes become memories that are experienced by you as sweet, tender, and cherished always.
Darlene Belvin
September 8, 2004
Dave-
You were by far the the most orgainized man i knew. You will be greatly missed. We will miss the holiday "stickers" and fond arrangement of the color orange displayed through your cubical. May god bless you'r family in this trying time. Until we meet again.
Darlene
Tom and Debbie Dailey
September 8, 2004
Like so many others who were drawn to Dave's smile, laugh, warmth and charm. We are deeply grieved and bewildered by his unexpected death. This world has truly lost someone very special. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family as they strive through their great sadness and profound sorrow.
Steve Rizzuto
September 8, 2004
Dave, You will be greatly missed. You were a good and dependable freind for many years. I will miss your devotion to the Steelers, I will always remember your "Duct Tapped" gery beast, your golf swing, and a host of other memories. I hope you are in a very orange place now. I look forward to our next debate over the use of Helicopters when my time comes.
Johnny Souder
September 8, 2004
I remember Dave when he joined the Boeing Company. We worked in the same group for Dan Hitt. Dave had just retired from the military. I taught guitar lessons to his son for many months and worked with Dave on some of the "Boeing Employee Good Neighbor Fund" raisers that we had at Boeing. My Band would play for the event and Dave dressed up as "Uncle Sam" and I think one year he walked around on stilts... all of us helping to raise money for charity. I was sadden to hear of his departure at such a young age... Godspeed Dave!! I've told St. Peter to decorate your area in Orange!!
Annette Davidson
September 8, 2004
I will remember Dave as always having a smile for everyone. I still have my shiny orange pumpkin he gave me last year on Halloween..
My sympathy goes out to his family at this time of their loss
Jason Hoot
September 8, 2004
I worked with Dave at BOEING. He will be missed.
Geoff Connell
September 8, 2004
Dave,
You were a GREAT person. You will be missed by all at the bowling alley! We will NEVER FORGET!!
Geoff and Leigh Connell
Nathan Miller
September 8, 2004
Dave was always a great co-worker even during those tough times. I always enjoyed going by his desk and the sea of orange that surrrounded his area. He was always willing to help in anyway he could. He was also a fellow golfer and volunteered for many years supporting BEGA. The yearly golf tournaments will not be the same and he'll be missed. Dave, rest in peace and thanks for the memories.
Linda Maynard
September 8, 2004
I will miss all the orange that he used to wear. Dave was a good person to work around
J R Richardson
September 8, 2004
Dave was a great friend and coworker. He will be missed, but his memories will linger.
ann morgan
September 8, 2004
Dave was a great guy to work with. Always professional and dependable yet pleasant to be around. He will be greatly missed.
Betty Weikert
September 7, 2004
Dave has been a wonderful friend for many years. He was an asset to the Boeing Company. I will miss him so much. I too will think of him often, especially when I see orange. I will always remember his laugh.
Alan Montgomery
September 7, 2004
You were a good friend and better role model. You will be missed. Your humor, your smile, your caring, your devotion and your spirit will live on in our memories.
Jim Jenkins
September 7, 2004
Thanks for all of the great times we had together. Your love of Signal Corps orange was always a good topic of conversation. Have a wonderful journey.
Ron Suessmann
September 7, 2004
You will be missed by your many friends at Boeing. You will never be forgotten.
Vickie Camden
September 7, 2004
Dave, You were always so friendly and open to conversation. You were so willing to move beyond the question with additional information to help everyone understand concerning your contracts. You will be greatly missed.
Susan Ellzey
September 7, 2004
You will be missed.
Rob Gregg
September 7, 2004
I enjoyed playing golf with Dave in the Boeing Golf league. He was always fun to be around. We will all miss him.
Christie Buck
September 7, 2004
Although I did not know you well, you always cheered me whenever I saw and spoke with you. I'll always remember you as a true gentleman to a degree rarely matched in these times. The world needs more of you, Dave. I'm sorry you had to leave us so soon.
Larry Tanner
September 7, 2004
I miss our early morning chats at work. Dave was always very cheerful and always had some good snacks to share. He had so many things in his office that were the color orange I thought he was an Auburn fan. Turns out he just liked the color orange. God bless, you will be missed. Your friend LT
Wanda Becatti
September 7, 2004
Dave,
I only had the pleasure of knowing you for 5 short months but you truly “touched” my heart as being a wonderful, kind, and special friend, father and grandfather.
You were always upbeat, concerned about the kids and wanted to know how Gary's job was working out.
You gave of yourself, your time and your talents. My family will have a living memory of you as we tend to the elephant ears and impatients you gave us for our barren flower bed.
I’m going to really miss our before 7:00 am talks and your "Hey Lady -- I need you to help me with my COMMMMMMPUUUUUUTER problem -- My immediate response was, Is it hardware or operator error related?!!" And that would start a whole day of kidding each other throughout the day! :-)
You took GREAT pride in your work and were always organized. I’ve never met anyone so obsessed with ORANGE FEVER. From now on, whenever I see a smiling “orange smiley” or just a “smiley face”, I will be reminded of you and how much your family and friends miss you. I just wish we could have had known each other longer.
My deepest sympathies to your family -- they will feel the loss even more than the rest of us.
Wanda
Kathie Henry
September 7, 2004
I am sincerely sorry for our loss. Dave was a wonderful man. I loved him as if he were my own family. Dave was always there for anyone that needed him. I will cherish the time that I had him as a friend.
Brenda Wright
September 7, 2004
Dave was a wonderful individual. I have known him for many years and treasure many memories, among them his dressing up in orange for Halloween and green for St. Patrick's Day. He was one in a million (one of the best)! He would always slip by very early in the morning and put some small treat or sticker on the desk.
Kathy Kittrell
September 7, 2004
You will be missed big guy.
Gail Wilson
September 7, 2004
Dave, you were a wonderful friend and a great co-worker. You will be missed.
Nolan St. Julian
September 7, 2004
May God hold you in his arms and send His Love to your family. Your Boeing family will miss you. Your friend: Saint.
Pat Easley
September 7, 2004
Dave, You will definitely be missed by many. It will be strange to be in the bowling alley and you not be there to kid with me. I know that you are now at peace. You will not be forgotten.
Kimberly Harris
September 7, 2004
You will be missed. I will think of you everytime I see the color orange.
Billy Lawrence
September 7, 2004
Dave was a dear friend and co-worker at Boeing for 16+ years. He is greatly missed.
Lisa Stewart
September 7, 2004
Dave, I will miss you terribly. What a wonderful and cheerful person you were and I valued our friendship more than you know.
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