David Arthur Kearley

Sewanee - David Arthur Kearley

David Kearley died on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Franklin Manor in Winchester, Tennessee. He was born in Mobile, Alabama, February 23, 1929. David graduated from Murphy High in Mobile in 1946, and went on to graduate from the University of Alabama with a B.A. in 1951, and an M.A. in 1956. From 1951-53 he served as a Lt JG aboard the destroyer USS Tingey off the coast of Korea during the war. Graduating General Theological Seminary in 1958 he was ordained Deacon by Bishop George Murray, at St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope, Alabama, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1959. David assisted and served Episcopal churches in Florence, Opelika, Phenix City, Tuscaloosa, and Fayette, Alabama; as well as churches in Franklin and Sewanee, Tennessee. During his time in Florence, Alabama, he married Marion Bourgeois and they had two sons, John and Stephen.

In 1969 David received a Master of Library Science degree from George Peabody College, and in that same year became the Head of the Graduate Library at the University of Alabama. From 1973-82 he was a Librarian at George Peabody College, which merged during this time with Vanderbilt. In 1982 he was called to be University Librarian at Sewanee, where he was able to serve in a Christian academic community until he retired in 1994.

As a cellist David played in various symphonies during his life, and was a founding member of the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra.

After retirement David continued his long association with the Sisters of Saint Mary's Convent in Sewanee, celebrating many Saturday morning Eucharists with them, their associates, and friends.

David will be remembered as a Christian Southern gentleman who lived his faith with compassion, kindness, and love to those around him.

He was predeceased by his wife Marion, brothers Frank and Robert, and is survived by his sister Katherine (Oscar) Yelverton, of Jasper, Alabama, sons John (Molly) Kearley, of Salida, Colorado, and Stephen (Janice) Kearley, of Buda, Texas, and grandchildren Sam and Ruth.

David offered his thanks to God for his life, family, and friends that he was given over the years.

The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, December 20 at the Parish of St. Mark and St. Paul's in Sewanee at 11 a.m., with reception to follow at Kennerly Hall.

The family asks that instead of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Community Action Committee (CAC) of Sewanee www.stmarkandstpaul.com, PO Box 267, Sewanee, TN 37375, and/or The Community of Saint Mary communityofstmarysouth.org , 1100 St. Mary's Lane, Sewanee, TN 37375.