Jeffrey Lyal David

Jeffrey Lyal David, known as "Graka" to his grands, was born in Bremerton, Washington on January 19, 1940 to Wanda and Lyle David. He passed away on October 22, 2023 after a courageous fight with colon cancer. His positive attitude buoyed all those around him as he walked this difficult path. As a young man, Jeff was an avid horseman, competing in riding competitions. He enjoyed athletics, participating in basketball and track in high school, and softball and golf in later years. He loved music and sang in choir as a young man, and thoroughly enjoyed singing in general, particularly in church with his children and grandchildren. He delighted in taking in the musical performances of all his littles. Jeff graduated from Central Kitsap High School in 1958 and attended Olympic College. He was the class president of the CKHS Class of '58, and facilitated many class reunions over the years. He married Melinda Jo Hattrup in 1960 and together they had three children, Brenda, Jeffrey, and Brad. The couple divorced in 1973.

After working in the banking industry, Jeff began a career in law enforcement, serving as a police officer and detective for nearly 29 years with Bremerton Police Department from July 3, 1967 through March 16, 1996. He married Donna Britton Hofmann on March 1, 1974, who had a son, Dana, from her first marriage. The couple had a daughter, Tawni, in 1975. After retirement from BPD, Jeff missed daily interaction with people, so he returned to work as a court security officer, along with his wife Donna, who had also retired from BPD. He worked at the Kitsap County Courthouse and Juvenile Facility, serving 10 years from 1996 to 2005.

Jeff and Donna competed in a bowling league and enjoyed the Washington and Oregon ocean beaches, Montana, and meals at Anthony's together. Jeff also maintained many friendships, taking in coffee with his buddies, CKHS class reunions, golfing, and attending athletic events of his children and grandchildren, as well as the events for other friends' kids and grandkids. He would regale you with stories of all these youngsters' athletic prowess. He coached junior high and high school girls' fastpitch softball, both for select and Bremerton High School. His influence with his players still remains. He stepped in as a surrogate father and grandfather many times. If you were a friend, you were family. His was a giving heart. The theme of family remembrances have highlighted how fully present, loving, genuine, consistent, selfless, and kind he was.

Jeff was predeceased by his father, Lyle, in 1992 and his mother, Wanda, in 2009. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Donna Britton David, his children, Brenda David, Jeffrey David (Kaylie), Brad David (Lena), Dana Hofmann (Charles Hoy-Ellis), Tawni Krause (Jason), and his younger brother Lincoln David (Judy), as well as 20 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two nieces, three nephews, and many loving cousins.

Special thanks to Dr. Jacob Mathew and the entire staff of oncology at St. Michael Cancer Center. Jeff wanted us to remind you all to do your health screenings. Take care of yourselves!

A memorial celebration of life will take place on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 2:30 pm at Manchester Community Church located at 7545 E. Madrone Ave., Port Orchard, WA. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in memory of Jeff David to Kitsap Shop With A Cop, a community organization that benefits needy children: https://kitsapshopwithacop.com. For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will live stream here at the time of service: https://www.youtube.com/@manchestercommunitychurchs2651/streams