David Harrah

1923 - 2021

David Harrah

David Emerson Harrah, 97, of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, passed away on February 5, 2021. He was dearly loved by family and friends and will be greatly missed.

He was born December 20, 1923, in Chrome, Pennsylvania, the son of the late David and Eva Harrah. He was the oldest of 3 siblings. On May 30, 1953, he married Florence Ida Sambel, who predeceased him in 2017.

He served in the U.S. Army as an anti-aircraft artillery gun crewman and section leader in the 1940s during WWII with some combat duty in Okinawa. He was also a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s and participated in the conflict in Korea. He served with pride and distinction, garnering many medals and commendations among which were the Army Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, Asian-Pacific Theater Service Medal with Bronze Star, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal Japan, and National Defense Service Medal.

After his discharge in 1954, he settled in New York. With aid from the GI Bill, Dave, as friends called him, learned his trade as a heavy equipment mechanic and was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers for 30+ years.

Dave and Florence raised their family in New York's Hudson River Valley. After retirement, they moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia for 10 years then finally settling in the Shenandoah Valley's Waynesboro area where they remained for the last 20+ years. They both especially cherished their friends from the YMCA and also their wonderful neighbors.

Dave did volunteer work for MED TED Transportation of Valley Program for Aging Services Inc in Waynesboro for 8 years which he greatly enjoyed because he loved helping people.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Ron Samuelson of Pleasant Valley, NY and son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Sue Harrah of Rossville, GA; grandchildren, David Harrah, Jessie Sevier, Brianne Harrah and Alex Harrah; great grandchildren Olivia Sevier, Lane Sevier and Cayden Harrah.

His family wishes to express their deep gratitude to their dear friend Barbara White for her loving kindness in caring for both Dave and Florence in their declining years and for her years of wonderful friendship.

Dave was preceded in death by his loving wife, Florence; and his brothers; John and Ronnie.

A graveside service and burial is planned at Augusta Memorial Park, in Waynesboro, VA. The family is planning a memorial service and celebration of his life at a later date.

McDow Funral Home is assisting the family.