David K. Mars

"You take the best from me and I'll take the best from you, and together we will move this old world forward."
Sachem Cowahweh
Sachem Father David Kenneth "Cowahweh/Long Pine" Mars Sr., 87, of Charlestown, entered into the presence of our Creator on August 26, 2025. He is the son of Rev. Harold S. Mars Sr. and Laura (Fry) Mars, and the husband of Rev. Diana Spears Mars. He is also the proud brother of Harold S. "Junie" Mars Jr., Rev. Roland C. "Rolly" Mars, and Janice L. "Janny" (Mars) Hill, all of whom he is undoubtedly teasing mercilessly once more. He served the tribal and broader community throughout New England in his service as a carpenter, building official, church deacon, and as a Narragansett administrator. He is remembered for his years spent as a football, softball, and basketball player and coach, his love of animals, his ever-present sense of humor, and his passion for community service. True to his name, Cowahweh stood tall with resounding strength, a sheltering presence whose love stretched out like branches over his family. In every storm and every season, he was steady and enduring. He was our protector.
Born on April 1 at his parents' home on Indian Hill-the ancestral homelands of his people, the Narragansett-David embraced and embodied the humor that could only come as an "April Fools" baby. He was the second-born son after Junie, and when Rolly joined the scene the three boys became an inseparable trio of mayhem and mischief. Finally, the arrival of the "Crown Jewel," Janny, brought some grace and balance to the family, rounding off the loveable, motley crew. They were a part of a large, rowdy, holy-rolling crowd. Throughout David's childhood, his family travelled from church to church as his father raised his voice for Christ all across the United States. While Rev. Mars's ministry was growing, bringing the Mars Clan to Rochester, NY, David was busy playing sports and raising Cain with his friends as he dodged the mundanity of bearing the cross.
As a boy, David always said he dreamed of having a "family and a farm." This goal became a reality one day out on King's Factory when a young woman (Diana Spears) stopped traffic–and his world– while hauling water in a milk jug across the country road. David was back in Rhode Island that summer day because he had recently enlisted in the military and wanted the blessing of his beloved grandmother Rosebud Nomore Thomas. As the girl walked up the hill to her home, she had no idea she had left a lifelong impression on David. The following day, he and his friends from New York decided to go to Watchaug Pond to swim before heading back home to ship out for the Army–a ruse created by David who was hoping to catch another glimpse of that young woman. Upon getting down to the beach, David and his buddies encountered her yet again. However, this time she was in the shallows bathing her younger siblings "as soap suds danced across the water's surface." David told his friends: "The first one in the water gets to ask her out!" As his comrades dashed to the bathhouse to get changed, David dropped his trousers and shirt on the spot–he already had his swimming trunks on beneath–and waded out to the girl to ask her: "Haven't you seen me somewhere before?" With that one, overly-confident, pick-up line, his dream was manifested, and David and Diana set off on a 67 year-long adventure as partners in life.
This was a story David recounted so often, it became family lore.
Little could David and Diana know when they first met at just eighteen years-old that their union was truly going to be "Bigger than the both of them." As the father to India "Misty," Tawny, David "Jeff," and Heather Angel, David labored determinedly to ensure that his children were secure and enriched with the tenets of God's laws–a shocking development given his youthful devilry. David genuinely set aside childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11) when he became a father and his progeny have all benefited from his strong and stalwart character. His protective spirit remained evident in his station as the Grandpapa/Papu to Nicole, Rene, Pepito, Amber, Jonn, Kodiak, Keyokah, Kianna, Sage, and Kimonee, and the Barkah to 15 great-grands.
David and Diana's allegiance and alignment in life kept their bond strong and ensured they created a robust life together. They moved to Charlestown in the '60s to begin establishing their kingdom on Old Mill Road. It was here that they constructed their forever home, shoulder-to-shoulder and from the ground up, creating a shelter and sanctuary for their four children. David and Diana's love of animals collided and a homestead was born: chickens, cows, horses, geese, pigs, goats, sheep–if you can name it, they had it and they stewarded it faithfully.
They were also lifelong learners. David was a historical aficionado that consumed books like they were air. From Civil War and WWII history, to Indigenous and religious studies, his passion for gleaning historical understanding was only matched by Diana's. Between the two of them, they amassed 33 bookshelves lined with everything from novels to dense tomes–every last one highlighted, dog-eared, and annotated to within an inch of its life. Their shared passions were the glue that kept them strong, but it was their shared convictions that made their life a testament to the tenets of faith that they upheld. Above all else, that meant loving their neighbor rightly (Matthew 22:39 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
For David, that love for community would drive him to become a Pop Warner Coach where he and his brother Rolly coached the Colts, Chargers, and Cowboys in Wakefield during the mid-'70s. After putting in a full-day's work, David would ride around the town, picking up the boys who couldn't get to practice in his truck to take them down to Old Mountain Field to play football. This was a highlight in his life that he never stopped recounting. David also served on the Charlestown School Committee, a further reflection of his passion for youth development. He himself played football on the semi-pro East Greenwich Townies alongside his brother-in-law Leonard Harris, brother Rolly, and cousin "Johnnycake" Thomas, as well as in a local softball league. His love of sports also brought him to coach the local women's softball league with Ronald H. Noka, where he helped lead them to victory in multiple championships. And, while David may have dodged the military when he got sidetracked by Diana-his permanent assignment for 60+ years- he still earned his stripes with 20 years in the Selective Service System. Gallantry comes in many forms!
David's passion for giving back was also evident in his work as a carpenter. After learning the craft from his father Harold and uncles Rev. Kenneth T. Mars Sr. and Harry N. Mars Sr., his talent led him to establish his own contracting company. Eventually, he went on to become a certified building official for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and then the Narragansett Indian Tribe–a role he maintained until he was 80 years-old. David's handiwork as a builder can be seen throughout the region, and there are countless churches and families across New England that can thank his oversight and prowess for providing them a sanctuary and home to this day.
Cowahweh's dedication to his community knew no bounds, and his love for his people was no exception. In the years immediately following their federal recognition, he was elected as Chief Sachem of the Narragansett. Following his leadership, he oversaw the raising of the first Narragansett Indian Health Center in the 1990s. And, again, in the 2010s, he had the privilege of overseeing the construction of a second IHS Center on the Narragansett Reservation. In the aftermath of the 1993 arson that destroyed the Narragansett Indian Church, David and his brother Rolly spearheaded its reconstruction, putting their skills to work to help restore a site sacred to so many over the centuries. These architectural efforts remained David's proudest achievements and the pinnacles of his service to the Narragansett people, embodying both his commitment to the spiritual care and physical well-being of his community. In addition, David remained a regular member of the Narragansett Indian Church which his grandfather Rev. Christian S. Mars, father Harold, brother Rolly, and wife Diana ministered through the years-a legacy that is being carried forward by the next generation.
While David was engaged in countless expressions of community service over the decades, and his talents are too numerous to list here, it is his humor that his family will forever remember. Whether it was teasing a highway patrolman with the flash of a tongue, donning one of Diana's wigs for a laugh, calling out a stranger's wild outfit at a red light, or recounting one of his innumerable fistfight tales–like that time his boat feet took out his ally Willy during a brawl ("Every man for himself!")-David kept those around him laughing (sometimes in shock and awe), and his quick wit will be missed. He was perfectly imperfect and, for that, we love him.
He was our stalwart protector and many times he shared that light and shelter in unorthodox ways. When one of his children teased him recently about how sturdily he built his house–much of which is impossible for even the burliest person to dismantle when repairs need to be done–he replied "I just wanted you kids to be safe." He built everything so that it could stand the test of time and that analogy could be applied to everything he set his hands to. David was a doer, a man of action whose bark and bite were always in service of protecting those he loved and serving God's people-all people. He was never one to look for the spotlight, but always the first to step up when anything was needed. He was truly "The Man."
Your footsteps were ordered and ordained, David/Cowahweh/Dad/Uncle Dave/Sachem/Grandpapa/ Papu/Pooh Bear/Barkah, and you have fulfilled them valiantly. Though you have journeyed on to join the rest of our loved ones who have gone before, the strength of your love remains rooted in us-steady as a pine, guiding us with the resounding power you carried all your life. This family will carry on your example going forward. Cowàmmaunsh!
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:4-10 and 34:3
A joint consecration of life for David K. Mars Sr. and his grandson, Sage N. D. Mars, will be held at 1:00 PM on September 13 at the Mars Family homestead at 94 Old Mill Road, Charlestown, RI, 02813. Following the ceremony, all guests are invited to attend a potluck on site. Limited seating will be provided, and the family requests that attendees bring their own chair if possible. A ceremonial fire is being held at the family home until the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in David's name to the Narragansett Indian Health Center, 51 Old Mill Road, Charlestown, RI 02813.