David DeLashmit

On September 12, 2024, my father took his last breath. David Lee DeLashmit was born January 13, 1948 the youngest of three sons to Albert Woodrow and Kathleen (nee Potter) DeLashmit. His two older brothers, Boyce and Larry were very important in his life. In so many ways, they were all so different, but they always had an unbreakable bond that will exist even in death.

My grandparents moved around quite a bit and ended up in Maplewood, Missouri in time for my father to finish high school. Shortly after high school, my dad was drafted to fight in the Vietnam War. To hear him tell the story, he was in boot camp and about to leave for Vietnam when by some stroke of luck, he was sent to Germany instead. I am certain I never got the real stories of a 19-year-old David as he traipsed through western Germany, but I know he was grateful to be coming home to his family in one piece.

In 1972, my father married my mother, Mary Kathleen (nee Kunz) DeLashmit when they were in their early 20's. In 1974 and 1975 respectively, my sister Stacey and myself, Carrie, were born. Then just like Taco Bell's Fourth Meal, my brother Jason showed up late to the party in 1981.

In the 80's, Dad started an appliance repair business, Albert Appliance AKA A-1 Appliance in St. Louis. This is where he met his second wife, Debbie. Debbie was the love of his life. They spent decades together even though they did not marry until 2003.

In business, he was known for his integrity and honesty, but after 20 years of hard work in St. Louis, he and Debbie moved to his dream home in Camdenton, Missouri. He got his dream of living on the water in the country. He started another appliance repair business, Dave's Appliance, and quickly built success and his reputation for his integrity and hard work. Dad started many stories with "So I was fixing this guy's refrigerator..." I will miss those stories. He also taught me to never leave your truck door open because a dog absolutely will get into it and eat your lunch. I am not sure how many times he "learned" this lesson, but I know it took more than once.

Dad loved his fast cars and fast boats. He and I shared the exhilaration of speed. This love never ended for him. He also loved playing games. Parcheesi was always a favorite as it was his mother's favorite. He was also famous for losing at Risk of which he always blamed the dice. Just this once, I will accept that excuse.

There are many things I could share about my dad, but one of the most important things to him was how proud he was of his country roots. Most of his life, he dreamed of living by the water and being able to fish whenever he wanted. There was little more than he loved than to spend time on a lake with a fishing pole. If you ever had the pleasure of attending one of his fish fries, you'd understand that the man spent a ton of time fishing and frying.

Dad loved to fish. He loved eating fish. He loved talking about eating fish.

I want to thank him for opening up to me towards the end. I want to thank him for loving me in his own way. And most importantly, I want to thank him for never making me bait my own hook.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Kathleen, by his beloved brother, Larry (Jeanette), and his son-in-law Jason Myers.

David is survived by: his loving wife, Debbie; his brother Boyce (Frances) DeLashmit; his children Stacey (Brian) Wingbermuehle, Carrie Brotcke, Jason (Margarita) DeLashmit; his step daughters Angie (Jason) Myers and Liz (Jay) Dodd.

He is also survived by all of his grandchildren: Jeremy (Natalie) Jackson, Jordan Brotcke, Matthew Wingbermuehle, Maximillian Wingbermuehle, Luke DeLashmit, Leah DeLashmit, Tommy (Crystal) Myers, Nicole (Mitchell) Smith, Blake Dodd, and Bradley Dodd; and his great-grandson, Josiah Myers.

He is also survived by countless cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, neighbors, customers, and anyone who ever worked at a roadside fruit stand.

David's service was 9/16/2024 in Camdenton, Missouri surrounded by friends and family. If you want to honor him, eat some fish, make friends with your appliance repairman, and hug your loved ones.