David Linden Fallis

1939 - 2024

David Linden Fallis

June 1, 1939 - September 27, 2024

Sacramento, California - David Linden Fallis passed away at his home in Sacramento, California, in the early morning hours of Friday, September 27, 2024. David passed away after a very long and arduous struggle with cancer. He fought the battle well but, in the end, it was a battle that he couldn't win.

David was born to Armour and Mary Fallis in San Francisco on June 1, 1939. David was one of the first of the "War Baby" generation, the "Silent" generation, 1939 to 1945. Except for his seven years, 1962 to 1969, serving his country in the U.S. Air Force, David lived his entire life in California, the last 55 years in Sacramento. David's earliest years, 1939 to 1941, were in San Francisco and then the War years, 1941 to 1945, in Twain Harte and Sonora, in Tuolumne County. After the War the family moved to Sunnyvale, in Santa Clara County, and resided there until 1961, when they relocated to Sacramento. David was the first of four brothers. David never married or had a family of his own. He did love his extended family very much, especially his nephews and nieces. He wished, and hoped for, the best for every one of them.

David attended and graduated from Fremont High School in Sunnyvale in 1957. After that he attended San Jose State College, 1958 to 1962, from which he graduated with a BS degree in Industrial Management. While attending Fremont, and then at San Jose State, David was in the Air Force ROTC program. Upon graduation from San Jose State, David graduated from ROTC and received his "wings," his mother pinning them on, when he joined the US Air Force.

David was always interested in aircraft and flying, having lived about a mile from Moffett Field NAS in Mountain View. The family home was right under the flight path, landings and takeoffs, for runway #1. Because of this he got to see, up close, all the military aircraft, including experimental, the Navy had from WWII through the Korean War and on into the Cold War. He first learned to fly at Reid-Hillview Airport in Santa Clara County. Later he learned how to fly gliders at a private glider club near Livermore. After his time in the Air Force, and after he returned to Sacramento, David pursued getting his private pilot's license in fixed wing and then later in helicopter, with external load rating. David appreciated aircraft of all types and he loved to fly.

David was a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1969. He attained the rank of Captain and served in the Strategic Air Command as a navigator/EWO in B-52's out of Loring Air Force Base in Maine and Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico. David, and all those who served in the B-52's, were unsung heroes, flying lone 24 hour missions over the Arctic during the Cold War, keeping the Soviets at bay and us safe from attack. David was very proud of his service to our country and felt very privileged to have served. He had many fond memories of his time and the fellows that he flew with.

David worked most of his life. He started out helping a family friend with a nursery in Sunnyvale at age 12, then he worked as a "pearl diver" in a restaurant and then moved on to clerking in a local supermarket before he went into the Air Force. After leaving the service, David went to work for the State of California, Department of General Services, Office of Local Assistance, from which he retired in 1998.

David loved to play the piano and if he heard a song he liked he would run down the score so he could learn to play it. He was also an avid reader and read all kinds of books from biographies of politicians, generals and artists to history to stories about San Francisco and the SF Bay Area. David loved "The City" and returned there often.

David leaves behind brothers Robert (Janet) and Mike (Paula) and nephews Robert, Chris, Sam (Jamie) and Brent (Rochelle). Also, David leaves behind great nieces Amanda, Danielle, Belle and great nephew Joshua. He had several cousins and their families: Jerry (Susan), Gladys, Freddie and Jon; Donna Jean, Jon (Pam), Linda, Claudia, Kathy; Donna Lee; Peter and Wanda and his special friends, Rick and Carol.

David was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Tim, his nephew Chad; his cousins, Bill, Betty (Bob) and Tanyas (Bob) from Canada, and many other family members.

David had many good friends in Sacramento. Many a morning found him at the Peet's Coffee shop on Fair Oaks Avenue in Sacramento, visiting with friends; Mark, Franco, Giuseppi, Melinda, Rose, Sadat and Evan, and many others. He also enjoyed going out to dinner with many more friends; Jack, Gail, Gene and Rich; his special neighbor Gillian and his special friends Claudia and Rico of Danielle's. On behalf of David's family, thank all of you for being our brothers' special friends. You, and all his other friends and neighbors, were so important to David.

Thank you, Franco, and Shawanda of La Provence, for all the support that you provided David, especially in his last months and days.

David's family wishes to thank all the doctors and nurses and staff associated with Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento who worked so closely with him in his many health struggles over the last several years, including Dr's Behl, Taylor, Eldridge, Tanghetti, and so many more. Thank you, folks, for all that you did to help our brother!

David is now interred in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery near Dixon, California, with old friends and comrades-in-arms. Rest in peace with your Lord, David.