David Voss

1934 - 2018

The Rev. David Verner Voss

September 28, 1934 - February 25, 2018

Cary

David Verner Voss departed this life for another on Sunday, February 25, 2018, unafraid, because, in his own words, "What comes next is the extension of a relationship with God that I am already a part of."

David was born in Georgia on September 28,1934 to John Daniel and Rebecca Auld Voss. He grew up in Atlanta and Augusta and was a valedictorian of his class at the University of Georgia, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. A young man of surpassing intellect and curiosity he continued his education with graduate degrees from Union Presbyterian Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Expanding his understanding of mental illness and his skills in sympathetic listening, he served as a Chaplain Resident at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, DC before becoming the founding pastor of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Purcellville, Virginia.

David and his wife Lynn, whom he met while serving in the Towson (MD) Presbyterian Church, raised their three daughters in Purcellville, in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and cherished their friendships there. Following his calling and gifts in listening to people, hearing them with respect, and helping them know themselves more deeply, David served for 20 years as a Pastoral Psychotherapist with the Pastoral Counseling and Consultation Centers of Greater Washington. He was a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. In 1992, with their children grown, David and Lynn embarked on an uncharacteristic adventure and moved to Cary, North Carolina, where he once again served for 20 years as a therapist with Triangle Pastoral Counseling.

Significant facets of David's rich life included -- most importantly -- being a loving husband and father, reading widely, preaching insightful and provocative sermons, writing two books, crafting limericks for special occasions and reciting Shakespearean sonnets from memory, enjoying Mozart, opera, live theater and Orioles baseball, co-teaching adult classes and playing softball for Cary Presbyterian Church, training Stephen Leaders, relishing good scotch with his faithful friends and colleagues, and refreshing his spirit at the family's summer house in northern Vermont. His consummate talents notwithstanding, David was a kind, gentle, compassionate, and humble soul.

David is survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Elizabeth Lynn Hammond; his three daughters, Jane Elizabeth Dunbar (Ian), Ellen Rebecca Govert, and Katherine Lynn Voss; his grandchildren, Jillian and Andrew Dunbar, Jeffrey, Ian and Sarah Govert; his brother, John Daniel Voss; nieces and nephew. He was predeceased by his parents and his son-in-law Gary Govert.

A service to celebrate David's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3 at Cary Presbyterian Church, 614 Griffis Street, Cary, NC, with a reception following. Gifts in his memory may be made to Cary Presbyterian Church Music Ministry or the Glenaire Foundation, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511.