David Priest

1938 - 2025

David Priest

Charleston - David Gerard (Dave) Priest, 87, of Charleston, South Carolina, loving husband of Ann Munday Priest, died peacefully on Friday, December 19, 2025. His memorial service will be held Saturday, January 3, 2026, in St. John's Episcopal Church, 3673 Maybank Highway, at 1:00 P.M., with a reception to follow in St. John's Walton Hall. Interment at Mepkin Abbey will be private. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 2nd, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Downtown Chapel.

Dave was born October 16, 1938, in Tampa, Florida, son of Tommy Rex Priest and Louise Pierce Priest. There, he attended Hillsborough High, where he received athletic acclaim for his basketball and football prowess. After an 18-month stint in the Coast Guard, Dave graduated from USF with a B.A. in Chemistry, then earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Florida State.

His professional life was marked by dedication and leadership, earning the respect of colleagues and families alike. During his 35-year tenure as a Professor of Biochemistry at MUSC, Dave published over 100 original peer-reviewed scientific papers and over 60 abstracts and book chapters documenting his research, primarily in the study of the biochemical mechanisms of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

In addition to bringing over $4,000,000 in grant support into his MUSC research lab, he was an Ad Hoc reviewer for the NIH/NCI ET1, ET2, and SBIR Study Sections, later being awarded the honor of serving on the Experimental Therapeutics Study Section at the National Cancer Institute.

Beyond his achievements, Dave was a man who cherished time outdoors. He found joy in golf and boating and embraced outdoor activities that allowed him to connect with nature and those he loved. His enjoyment of the outdoors mirrored his approach to life, active and engaged with the people he loved.

Upon their retirement in 2003, Ann and Dave followed their passion for travel, visiting over 100 countries, often with family and friends (although they could never agree about whether they ever made it to Luxembourg).

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Rex Priest, his sister, Nancy Priest, and his son, David Gerard (Gerry) Priest. He is survived, along with his wife of 43 years, by his beloved daughter, Stephanie Powell, stepson, Dutch Fayard, daughter-in-law, Karen Priest, and brother, Joe Priest. He was a caring and loving father and stepfather, a doting grandfather, and a proud great-grandfather. Pop's legacy continues through his grandchildren: Andrew Geddis Powell, Sam Powell, Riley Fayard, and Walker Fayard; as well as through his six great-grandchildren. He was deservingly proud of the Pinchie stories he wrote for his grandchildren, telling the adventures of Pinchie and Buster, young sibling crabs, who lived under his dock.

Dave will be deeply missed by numerous relatives and friends who will always cherish memories of time spent with him. May such memories bring comfort to all who knew Dave and serve as a reminder of a life well lived.

Memorials may be made online to the American Cancer Society in honor of David Gerard Priest or to St. John's Episcopal Church,

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.

We invite you to share a memory and sign our guest book.