David Craig Rossi

1952 - 2024

David Craig Rossi took his last ride on the family ranch in San Ardo, CA on the evening of November 2, 2024.

He was born on November 13, 1952 in Salinas, CA. He grew up at the Sweetwater Station just south of King City, CA on the old highway 101 that is now Cattlemen Road. He was raised by his Swiss-Italian grandparents, Angelo and Lydia Castelli and great uncle Ben Castelli. Growing up, he learned their native dialect first and then English when he attended St. John's Catholic School in King City, CA. He idolized his great uncle Ben and spent many a day at Sweetwater, down at the Salinas River with him hearing all the stories from traveling around the world from Switzerland, WWI, and their adventures having a hog ranch and dairies. David went on to graduate from Palma High School in Salinas, CA in 1970 then graduated with an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Hartnell College. He planned to be a Sheriff but a hiring freeze went into place for a couple of years and he ended up getting a job at the Monterey County Public Works Road Department in San Ardo while he waited. It was March 1974 and a young redhead, Kathryn Freeman, had just started there as the Clerk in January. In Kathy, he found the love of his life and it was from then on, as if his life had really started just then. On February 27, 1976 they eloped in a very epic trip to Carson City, NV in the middle of winter. They were married at a little church outside in the cold and wind by a hitching post. The officiant asked if they were cheap or just country, agreeing that it was the latter.

David and Kathy made their first home on the Tom and Emily Freeman Ranch in San Ardo, then later moved next door to the ranch that would be their forever home. In between, they welcomed their daughter, Dusty Jo Rossi and made their life as a family of three. On the ranch, David enjoyed hunting, guns, cattle and large equipment. He was always working on a dozer, grader or backhoe and smelled of diesel and gear oil most of the time. He had a hunting guide operation for 25 years and met numerous guests that became wonderful friends for those decades. Many of his hunters returned so often over the years that he saw their children grow up. In 2012, after 38 years at the Road Department, David retired as a Road District Superintendent.

After retirement, he focused on working on the ranch, guiding and spending time with his family. In 2013, his son-in-law and daughter, Chris and Dusty Johnson, welcomed the next love of his life, grandson, Tommie Johnson. He happily changed diapers, babysat and did things for Tommie that none of us would've ever thought we'd witness. He loved so much to spend time with Tommie and teach him all the things he knew and was looking forward to Tommie getting his hunting license next year. It was on one last hunt in the old yellow Jeep that we'd spent so many years as a family deer hunting in, singing, "Amarillo by Morning", with friends and using to check cattle that all of our lives would change.

David is preceded in death by his grandparents, Angelo and Lydia Castelli, great uncle Ben Castelli, in-laws Tom and Emily Freeman, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Frank and Joanne Errea and best friend and guitar buddy, Jack Decker.
David is survived by his wife whom he cherished, Kathy, his daughter, Dusty and her husband, Chris Johnson and his grandson, Tommie Johnson as well as his dedicated dachshund, Ollie and horse, Doc. His best partners, Bernie and Myrna Rivera, Paula Sue and Kadey Decker, his early morning call about the day and farming, Carl and Helen Camany and friends that should've been family, Kathy Eade, Hannah and Kenny Eade, Karen Eade, James Eade Family, and Daniel and Peggy Torres, as well as nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Special thanks and gratitude to the First Responders of Cal Fire Bradley, Cal Fire King City with Battalion Chief Ryan Avila, helicopter crew, medics, CHP and Sheriff's office that showed professionalism, kindness and resilience in the search and recovery of David in steep, dark and cold conditions. Thank you to David Moore. Thanks and appreciation to Kamal Masud for being with him on his final hunt, it would be hard to find a more sincere person to spend one's final moments with. Kamal's quick and calm actions that evening allowed first responders and the family to save valuable time and narrow the search area. Great appreciation to Cal Fire for allowing his family to transport him off the mountain as a family, one last time.

No services will be held per David's wishes, the family asks that everyone take a few extra moments to appreciate each other during the holidays. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help the future graduates of Tommie's school through the Marjorie Vicente Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship gives funds to graduates of Bradley Elementary School that attend college or trade schools in the future. Marjorie Vicente Memorial Scholarship, P O Box 1, Bradley, CA 93426 or Venmo @Meth-Vicente or to an organization of your choosing.

For more information, please contact Eddington Funeral Services, King City, (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com .