David R. Abila Sr.

On the morning of March 3, 2022, David passed away of natural causes in his home.
David Abila was born on July 8, 1951 at Pomona Valley Community Hospital. He was the first born son of Margaret Solorzano and Vernon Abila.
Sharing a lifelong love for the outdoors with his father, David Abila was raised an avid fisherman, huntsman and lover of nature, which carried on throughout his life, as allowed. David was happiest surrounded by nature and family. He was especially happy teaching young relatives his vast knowledge of hunting and fishing. His firstborn grandson, Dominic, was a failsafe hunting and fishing companion towards the end of David's life. David felt close to his father when enjoying the outdoors, and often spoke fondly of past hunting trips, describing the colors and views with a warm gleam in his eye.
David had a great love for sports, with a special passion for baseball in particular. A very friendly guy, to his children and grandchildren's amusement, David would often engage passersby with a boisterous "Go Blazers!", "Go Dodgers!", or "Go Mariners!" depending on the season. David was a three-year Letterman in Varsity Baseball and graduated as Senior Class President at Ganesha High School. David was an active member of the Letterman's Club, the Pep Club and UMAS. David fell in love with his high school sweetheart, Janet Monroy, whom he wed on Valentine's Day following graduation. As true Californians of their time, the young couple and their friends loved to surf. Dana Point was a regular spot before David and Janet began to start their family in Pomona, California, with the birth of their first and only son, David Ray Abila, Jr., followed by their first born daughter, Melissa Lynne Abila.
David and Janet relocated to the state of Utah where they would later welcome daughters Melanie Rae Foster and Megan Marie Christine Jarvis. Shortly after moving to Utah, David suffered the first major accident in his life: In 1980, David was kicked in the head by a newly-purchased horse at their home in Alpine, Utah. He miraculously survived the serious head injury. Five years later he suffered an eight story fall from a roof while on the job. David survived the fall, but broke his back in several places, leaving him with chronic pain and complications later in life. In 1989, the family moved from Utah to beautiful Portland, Oregon.
Despite pain, David loved getting out to enjoy the great, glorious outdoors for which Oregon is known. A favorite spot, along the Columbia River sits special in the hearts of any family or friend who know. There, David spent many blissful hours, listening to the music of Neil Young and joyously yelling his seasonal slogan: "Fish on..!" David was a good man, generous beyond his means and fond of Steinbeckian morals, simple things, nature, faith and family. He created his own parking spots and always brought treats. To say that he will be greatly missed is a vast understatement.
You are in our hearts.
David Ray Abila was preceded in death by his mother and father, Margaret and Vernon Abila, his brothers John and Frank, his sister Viola, and son-in-law, Shawn Pruitt Foster. He is survived by brother Charles, sisters Maryanne and Laura, his wife Janet Abila, son David Abila, Jr., daughters Melissa Lynne Abila, Melanie Rae Foster, and Megan Marie Christine Jarvis, son-in-law, Justin Paul Jarvis, and grandchildren Monica Marie Montoya, Dominic Paul Abila, Neveah Michelle Foster, Milo Jayson Vernon Foster, Phoebe Rae Foster, Abigail Rose Jarvis and Julian Orlando Jarvis.
A public memorial service will be held at David's parish, St. Rita's Catholic Church, on Easter Monday, April 18th, at 11am.
Arrangements are under the care of Omega Funeral & Cremation Service and St. Rita's Catholic Church of Portland, Oregon.
Fish on..