David Edwin Zumwalt

1939 - 2025

David Edwin Zumwalt, a beloved St. Helena businessman and community pillar, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2025, with his beloved wife Sherlyn by his side. His ebullient personality and generosity of spirit will be missed by his family and by his treasured town of St. Helena.

Dave was born on March 22, 1939, to Edwin Otis Zumwalt and Elinor Anna (Smith) Zumwalt at St. Helena Hospital where, in a beautiful full-circle moment, he also departed. His childhood years were spent alongside his brother, Don Zumwalt, in Sacramento and Santa Rosa, where their father owned Zumwalt Chrysler-Plymouth. Dave graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1957 where he met his future wife and best friend, Sherlyn Sue Walker. Dave attended Santa Rosa Junior College until his enlistment in the United States Marine Corp, in which he served from 1958-1961. Dave and Sherlyn were married on March 1, 1959.

After his discharge from the Marine Corp in 1961, Dave began his long career in the car dealership business. He was first mentored in sales and management by his father, Ed, at Zumwalt Chrysler-Plymouth in Santa Rosa. In 1966 Dave purchased the Ford dealership in St. Helena, which he would own and operate for 36 years. At that time, Dave was one of the youngest Ford dealership owners in the U.S. It was in those decades at Zumwalt Ford that Dave made his great mark in the community. Lovingly known as "Daring Dave the Legend" and famous for answering the office phone with, "Hello, this is your friendly Ford dealer", Dave would go on to impact so many in the community with his philanthropy. Zumwalt Ford sponsored many St. Helena Little League teams, sponsored free swim days at the SHHS swimming pool, donated vehicles to local medical institutions, sponsored "Hole in One" contests at charity golf events, and took a motorhome on the road to help chaperone SHHS's Jazz Choir and Girls Volleyball Team.

Dave's other great loves included bay area sports teams. He purchased his first season tickets for the 49ers at Kezar Stadium when he was 19 years old. Dave and Sherlyn would spend many happy years rooting for the 49ers, the SF Giants, and the Golden State Warriors, including traveling together to every Major League baseball stadium in the country. One of Dave's greatest joys was sharing days at the Giants ballpark or Candlestick with his children, to whom he passed along his passion. Dave was also an avid golfer, a member of Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, helped start the St. Helena Athletic Association, was a founding director of Vintage Bank, a fundraiser for Hospice, and a stalwart volunteer at Napa Adult Day Services. In the last decade Dave has treasured his many friendships at Health Spa Napa Valley and Vintners Golf Club.

Dave is survived by his devoted wife, Sherlyn, his daughters, Lori Zumwalt and Allison Zumwalt Stone (Eric), his son, Scott Zumwalt, who predeceased him in 2009, his brother, Donald Zumwalt (Jill), and his beloved grandchildren, Victoria Englehardt (Adam), Willem Zumwalt (Emma), Shelby Zumwalt, Eddy Stone, Johana Stone and his great grandson, Jack Engelhardt, and numerous much-loved nieces and nephews. Dave and Sherlyn were married for almost 66 years. Dave was a loyal and attentive father, grandfather, and great grandfather, always in the audience and on the sidelines for his legacy's activities and sporting competitions.

A celebration of Dave's life will take place at the Native Sons Hall, 1313 Spring St., St. Helena, on Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 2:00-5:00pm. All are welcome. There will be a private family graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts in Dave's memory to Providence Community Health Foundation Napa Valley designated for the Adult Day Health program, 414 South Jefferson St., Napa, CA 94559.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Chapel, St. Helena, California. David Edwin Zumwalt