David Preston Marthey

On September 6, 2023, at 5:05 PM, a joyful noise boomed across the Heavens as the Marthey euchre table gained another player.
David Preston Marthey, the oldest of five, was born on September 14, 1952, to Robert and Virginia (Yoder) Marthey, of Apple Creek, Ohio. He passed away peacefully on September 6, 2023, age 70. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Michael Glayde and Daniel Joseph.
David is survived by his wife of 46 years, Deborah (Cundiff) Marthey; his son, Preston (Randie) Marthey; grandchildren Emily, John, and Logan Marthey, all of Jonesboro, his sister, Karen Marthey, and brother Patrick Marthey, both of Apple Creek, Ohio. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, his Kappa Alpha brothers, and a host of friends who he considered family.
David was known by many names over the years: Dave, Big Dave, Bear, Dad, and his favorite, Papaw. All of these referred to a man who was boisterous, kind, genuine, and devoted. Devotion was the cornerstone of Dave's foundation; devotion to his wife and family, to his faith, to his friends, and to his customers. He was a man who said what he meant, and meant what he said. If he asked how you were doing, he genuinely cared about the answer. He would sing you a song, tell you a joke, make you mad, then have you laughing and happy again, all in the space of a single conversation.
Dave was an avid sports fan, especially Cleveland baseball. An athlete himself, he was part of a Hot Stove national championship team in high school, and pitched for three years with the Lexington Angels semi-pro baseball team during his college years.
Dave attended Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, graduating in 1975 with degrees in Business Administration and PE teaching. While at Transy, Dave became a member of Kappa Alpha Order, Alpha Theta Chapter. He received many Distinguished Achievement honors from his fraternity, and for 40 years. Was the featured speaker at the KA Rush Smoker.
Dave kept busy in other ways, as well. He was a licensed pilot and three-time chairman of the Airport Commission, a Paul Harris Fellow with the University Rotary Club, a sales award-winning branch manager for Spectra-Physics, and owner/ operator of Big Dave's Custom Surveying and Design. He was a fourth-degree member of The Knights of Columbus, involved in several outreach and fundraising projects. He cooked every year for the Jonesboro Fraternal Order of Police, and, with his wife, was a five-time chairman of Blessed Sacrament's Annual Fall Festival. In later years, he helped smoke and deliver barbecue and would hold court beside the grills, delegating tasks, telling stories, and passing on bits of knowledge.
Dave loved traveling with Debbie, spending time with his grandchildren, and arguing sports with Preston. Some of his happiest days were spent bouncing through rutted fields with Preston at his side and a baseball game on the radio. He loved spending time in the duck blind with his friends, unconcerned with making his shot and just enjoying the time together.
To say that he will be missed is an understatement. There is a Big Dave sized hole in the world, and there aren't enough songs, prayers, or dirty jokes to fill it.
All services will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1107 E. Highland Drive, Jonesboro. Visitation will be at 4:30-6:30 pm, Thursday, September 14, 2023, and a Rosary at 6:30 pm, with eulogies to follow. A Funeral Mass will be at 10 am, Friday, September 15, 2023. Serving as pallbearers are Dr. Tom Burchett, Dr. Rick Catron, Dr. Mike Mansfield, Marty Voiers, Charlie Wilson, Julien Tackett, Jim Post, and Tyler French. Honorary pallbearers will be K of C Council 1702 and the 5 Man Breakfast Club. Burial will be private. Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the David Bear Marthey KA Scholarship Fund at Transylvania University Alumni and Development office, 300 North Broadway, Lexington, Kentucky, 40508. To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.