David Alonzo Gadley

David Gadley was not just as a coworker. He was our brother, a teammate, and a part of our field family.

Out in the field, away from home, we spend more time with each other than we do with our own families. Long hours, bad weather, tight spaces, and tough jobs. This is where we all truly got to know one another. It´s in those long shifts, under the sun or in the rain, where trust is built, not just to get the job done, but to keep one another safe. That´s where David, and all of us, learned to rely on each other.

We weren´t just coworkers; we were a support system. We shared stories about our families, kids, spouses, and hobbies. We vented frustrations, cracked jokes, and sometimes sat in silence after a day that pushed us all to our limit. And through it all, that time together, away from our real families, we created a connection that meant more than just working side by side.

We didn´t just complete jobs, we built bonds. Bonds, only those of us out there in the field, can truly understand. We had each other´s backs. We made it through days that tested our bodies, minds, and sometimes our spirits. That connection is something that will forever be with us and with David.

Losing one of our own, David will always be with us in our hearts. His hard work, his stories, his laughter, those don´t go away. Memories with David will forever stay with us. He trusted us, and we trusted him. He was a partner in every job we faced, and he will continue to be felt on every project, in every shift. Though he´s gone, he will never be forgotten. We carry him with us, in our memories, in our conversations, in how we do the work, and in how we continue to look out for one another. A brother´s keeper, just like he was for us.

We will miss his presence and his friendship, and we´ll honor him every day by carrying on, with loyalty and respect, continuing to love one another as a field family.

From all of your JEA family - Rest in peace David. We will miss you.