David Frank Fortuna

David Frank Fortuna, "Dave," completed his Earthly journey and entered heaven on January 17, 2025. A service celebrating his life will be held in the sanctuary of Noel Memorial United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Friends are invited to visit with the family immediately following the service in Noel's Worship Center.
Dave was born on December 12, 1950, to Walter and Dorothy Fortuna as the third of their four sons. He grew up in a loving home that was full of playing, creating, building, traveling, scouting, and, most importantly, learning about God. He spent most of his childhood and school-age years in Bossier City, graduating from Bossier High School in 1968. In the spring of 1969, Dave's mother asked him to attend a Lay Witness Mission at Barksdale Methodist Church which led to him meeting the love of his life, Annette Smith, and to "officially" committing his life to Jesus Christ. He described it as the time he "met the two most important people in my life."
Over their 52 ½ years of marriage, Dave and Annette enjoyed many adventures, lived in many towns, served the Lord together, and built a loving family that started with their daughters, Misty Fortuna Davis and Wendy Fortuna Gallineau. Later, Dave was thrilled to gain two son-in-laws, Todd Davis and Danny Gallineau. But, one of his favorite roles was being "Poppa" to his six grandchildren: Ella Davis, Addison Mitchell, Bryce Mitchell, Livi Gallineau, Bailey Gallineau, and John Kirklin Davis. He also enjoyed spending time with his brothers, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dave leaves a spirit of love, empathy, determination, and joy with his family who will carry on his legacy.
If you ask Dave's friends how they met him, the responses could be very wide-ranging. They may have first encountered Dave in school or Boy Scouts or at Louisiana Tech or Emory University. Others met him as he joyfully pastored churches, led youth ministries, participated in the Cursillo and Walk to Emmaus movements, or directed camps and retreats at Camp Caney, fulfilling his call to help others know Jesus and grow in their faith. They could have met through one of the over 30 Operación Abrigo Mexico mission trips. Many would say he challenged them on a pickleball court as far back as the 1990s. Still others would call him a "pilot buddy" that helped them build an airplane at his beloved hangar. Regardless of what connected people to Dave, he was loyal, always willing to lend a helping hand, solve a problem, or simply add his unforgettable humor and have a good time. He had a way of always thinking outside of the box with a creative touch and attention to detail no matter the size of the project.
Although our hearts are sad and empty today because he is gone, they are also very happy and full because he was here. The family would like to thank Dr. Kirtan Koticha and his team at Highland Clinic Oncology and the Christus Hospice nurses for the care they provided Dave. Annette, Misty, and Wendy would also like to express sincere gratitude for the family and friends who visited, called, messaged, and showered Dave with immense love in his final days. Each one brought him true joy and comfort.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Operación Abrigo or Noel Memorial United Methodist Church.