David Lee Semerad Sr.

SEMERAD, David Lee Sr.

David Lee Semerad, Sr., long-time resident of Arcadia, California, died at the age of 75 on August 26, 2012, in Claremont, California.

David was born September 20, 1936, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Gladys Ida and Stephen John Semerad. At the age of eleven, he moved to Rice Lake, Wisconsin, where his family took over the family farm. He graduated with honors from Rice Lake High School in Rice Lake, Wisconsin in 1954. After graduation, he was accepted into Brown University, the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, and schools for art and radio broadcasting, but chose to enlist in the United States Air Force. David served in the Air Force from 1954 to 1958, and was stationed at Burtonwood Air Force base in Warrington, England working as a B-29 radio and radar repair specialist.

David met his wife, Beverly Semerad, in the late 50s, whom he married in 1962. David made his living as a carpet installer for 36 years prior to retirement and passed this trade on to his son, David L. Semerad, Jr., and step-son, Neal P. Coward.

David's interests included boating, water skiing, muscle cars, dancing, bike riding, weightlifting, drawing, playing board games and doing crossword puzzles. What David was probably most known for was his unique sense of humor, his carefree approach toward life, his love of family, his dedication to attend all of his children's sporting events despite his boss' threats to fire him, his love of candy and his unwillingness to eat anything green.

David is survived by his sisters, Marguerite Coburn and Tracy Johnson; brother, John Semerad; five children/stepchildren and their spouses, Gary and Rosiland Alcock, David and Coralie Semerad, Elizabeth Semerad, Neal and Frances Coward, and Sherry Lueck; six grandchildren, Courtney Semerad, Kathryn Stewart, Elizabeth Howarth, Julie Orozco, Brittany Coward and Danielle Coward; and four great-grandchildren, Jessica Orozco, Johnny Orozco, Jacob Orozco and Issac Howarth. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Semerad, who passed on December 11, 1985, after 23 years of marriage.

A closed casket visitation will be held at the Hillside Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park, in Whittier, California, on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at 5:00 p.m., followed by a rosary service at 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the same location on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a graveside service at 12:15 p.m. The family invites all of David's friends and loved ones to come and celebrate his life with them.