David E. Tarica

David Edward Tarica died the same way he lived: in the presence of loved ones, without much fuss, just the way he wanted. He passed away on August 7th, 2024 at age 95 in the same hospital where he was born, after a full life surrounded by friends and loving family.

Our Dad, Papu, and friend was as adoring as he was adored by everyone, from babies to caregivers to total strangers. He could light up a room with a twinkling smile or a quick one-liner, and was an accomplished baker who showed his love with homemade sweets.

David was a true son of Seattle: born and raised in the Central District on June 24, 1929, in a tight-knit community of Jews from Rhodes, whose traditions and recipes he imparted on his family. He attended Garfield High School and the University of Washington where he received his M.B.A. and served in the US Air Force in Alaska during the Korean War. He had a nearly 35-year career at the business he co-owned with one of his closest friends, Jerry Caston, selling mannequins to local department stores at Ross Display Fixture Company.

His wife Karen was the love of his life; they met on a train to Portland in 1957 and were married for nearly 50 years. They loved to travel, play blackjack, and bet at the races, and ate everywhere from Denny's to Metropolitan Grill with equal enthusiasm for food and each other's company.

In his later years he remained curious and fiercely independent, always seeming younger than his age. He took on complicated cooking projects, religiously followed politics and the Mariner's, and dressed as sharply as he could crack a joke. We'll always remember him that way.

He is survived by his two children, Suzanne and Alise, his son-in-law Barry, three grandchildren Anna Goren (Alexandra Beveridge), Molly Goren (Adam Akullian), Jacob Goren (Arielle Goren), and four great-grand children whom he loved dearly. From lifelong friends to people who met him just once or twice, he was remembered as a giant and adored by all.

Donations can be made to Kline Galland Home, Jewish Family Service of Seattle or a charity of your choice.

We will all miss him terribly and try to live as well as he did.