David Hamilton Desautels

David Hamilton Desautels died November 11, 2017. He was born in Lenoir, NC on February 11, 1956, the sixth of seven children born to Bernard Henry Desautels of Winoski, VT, and Lula Brown Desautels of Rich Hill, Ashe County, NC.

When he was six, he went door to door selling Girl Scout cookies for his older sister. It was the start of his lifelong love affair with the art of persuasion and sales.

After David's father died, he gravitated to sports to find male role models. He was a talented Ashe Central athlete, lettering in baseball, football and basketball. His coaches and teachers were lifelong friends for whom he had true affection and admiration.

As a teenager, David worked at WKSK Radio. He had a desire to travel and hatched an idea to have a sponsored radio show called Desi's Travels. Many local business people supported his dream, allowing him as a very young man to travel to 48 states. He interviewed people he met and condensed the most interesting parts of their life into a 5 minute radio show. David was always grateful to Jan Caddell for taking a chance on him.

Following his talent, David went to Carolina and majored in communications. He left two classes short of his degree to come back to Ashe County to start the Jefferson Times. He finally finished his degree at the age of 50. He was a rabid Carolina fan, following his beloved TarHeels to the end.

The Jefferson Times newspaper was the first of many businesses he owned. David founded Main Street Marketing, home of the BOGO (buy one, get one) Dining Pass. He started the Home Sweet Home Show, the largest one day home show in North Carolina. He also ran a bed and breakfast with his wife. At the time of his death, he owned The Diner on Abercorn in Savannah, Georgia. Despite his success, he never forgot his humble start in the housekeeping department at Ashe Memorial Hospital. He would joke that the hospital was so small then that he was a janitor and a part-time brain surgeon.

David accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was 39. Shortly thereafter, he married Laurie Strong. He was blessed to be the father of John Ethan Desautels.

David was survived by Laurie, and his son John. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Bernard Alan Desautels. His surviving siblings are Theresa Desautels and husband Phil Cooley, of Sparks, Nevada; Bob Desautels and wife Peggy of Winston Salem; his sister Mary Desautels of West Jefferson; his sister Naomi Johnson and husband Randy of North Wilkesboro; and his brother Steve Desautels of Danville, Virginia.

David had a wicked sense of humor. He loved connecting people to one another. He was a demanding boss, always wanting the very best from those he employed. He had strong opinions and shared them freely. David was an imperfect, but enthusiastic Christian. He believed with all his heart he would see Jesus. The closer he came to death, the more easily he was able to surrender to God's will. David is peacefully resting with his Savior. If he could speak one last time it would be to invite you to know the everlasting love of Jesus Christ.

A celebration of David's life was held Wednesday, November 15 at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. In David's memory, donations can be made to Salvation Ministries; Box 622; Boone, NC 28607.