David James Harkins

Salisbury lost one of its most beloved and impactful leaders when David James Harkins died on March 25, 2025, at the age of 55. David was a pillar of the city's athletic and business communities for the last five decades. Born on November 29, 1969, in Washington D.C., his family moved to Salisbury in 1972 where he thrived for his entire life and built his own family. David's ambition and leadership was recognized at a young age and contributed to his many successes as a passionate athlete, coach and entrepreneur.
David was revered as one of the elite athletes in the region. His many athletic accomplishments include: Athlete of the Year awards at the Salvation Army and Parkside High School; all-region recognition in baseball and basketball; and a leader of the Parkside Rams soccer, basketball and baseball teams. David graduated from Parkside in 1988 and took his baseball talents to University of Richmond where he was a scrappy outfielder for the Spiders and graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Finance in 1992.
After college, David returned to Salisbury to build and grow the family concrete and construction businesses. Harkins was the President and owner of a broad group of prosperous construction, concrete, contracting and real estate businesses bearing his name. He excelled at the challenge of dealmaking and enjoyed close relationships with his many employees and business partners.
He was deeply involved in a wide array of community organizations including: The Salvation Army, The Life Crisis Center, Peninsula Regional Medical Center Foundation, The Greater Salisbury Committee and Salisbury University's Foundation. David advocated for future business leaders of Delmarva as a member of the Perdue School's Executive Advisory Council.
Perhaps David's biggest impact was on the community's youth as an admired coach for numerous baseball teams and leagues. Coach Harkins was a staple at Fruitland Little League spending hours showing both his love for the game and its players. One of his proudest accomplishments was coaching the Fruitland Little League All-Stars to two Maryland State Championship games, winning the titles in 2017 and 2019.
David loved living on the Eastern Shore and took advantage of everything that it has to offer. As a true outdoorsman, he was committed to the cause of nature conservation. He was an avid deer, turkey and waterfowl hunter and a devoted supporter of hunter education and youth hunter safety programs. He shared his farm with his many hunting buddies and opened it up to educate and encourage the next generation on Youth Hunting Days.
David was engaged and engaging. He had a twinkle in his keen eyes, a knowing smile that lit up every room and a playful laugh that filled them. Generous with his heart and time, he had genuine lifelong friendships. Always up for an adventure, he was curious about the world and one of the best storytellers ever. A true memory maker. Above all, he adored his sons.
David is survived by: wife Audrey Holt Harkins and sons David James Harkins II and Connor Thomas Harkins all of Salisbury, Maryland; mother Gail Donovan Harkins of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland; father George Thomas Harkins and step-mother Suzanne Harkins of Berlin, Maryland; mother-in-law Margaret Elaine Holt of Salisbury, Maryland; sister Tricia Harkins Beisler and brother-in-law Mark Beisler of Waterford, Virginia; and brother Patrick Joseph Harkins of Nashville, Tennessee. He will be missed by: niece Sarah Beisler Nasir of Stanford, California; niece Emily Beisler Stup of Wake Forest, North Carolina; nephew John Harkins Beisler of Waterford, Virginia; his many Donovan aunts, uncles and cousins throughout the country; and his Harkins clan in Mississippi.
Funeral services will be held at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, 217 Beaglin Park Road, Salisbury, Maryland on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 11AM. Click here to view David's Funeral Service Bulletin.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Life Crisis Center of Salisbury at https://www.lifecrisiscenter.org/donate.htm.
Online Memorial Photo Tribute for David James Harkins