DAVID SYLVESTER WALTERS

David Sylvester Walters passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on October 17, 2011, losing his year-long battle against brain cancer. He was 67 years old.

Born on July 6, 1944, in Omaha, Nebraska, David is predeceased by parents Wilson Hiram Walters and Frances S. Walters, and brother Mark Christopher Walters. David shared countless memories and many perfect days with his family: brother Daniel Loren Walters, sister Susannah Elizabeth Keller, cousin John Sylvester Barney, all of their beautiful other halves and children. David was most proud of his children: Amy Susannah Walters, Shannon Elizabeth Braun, spouse Kurt Braun, Mark Phillip Walters, spouse Beaven Walters, and Allison Maureen Crump, spouse Greg Crump. He would boast that three of his children were WSU Cougars and one a UW Husky. Seven precious grandchildren will miss his whisker kisses: Kelsey, Kurt, Sophie, Calvin, Scooter, Gretchen, and Gus.

David grew up in the Greenlake neighborhood of Seattle and attended John B. Allen elementary, Hamilton Junior High School and Lincoln High School. He spent much of his youth with his dearest friend Douglas MacQuarrie, with whom he served in the United States Navy from 1963-65, including a tour to Vietnam, where David earned a Vietnam expeditionary medal. David continued many of his childhood friendships well into adulthood and enjoyed walking Greenlake with his 'buds'.

David earned his Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Education from Western Washington University. He also earned an Administrator Principal Certificate. He adored teaching children and spent the majority of his 33-year career teaching 4th-grade students at Cascade Elementary in Kennewick, Washington.

Kennewick was home to David for the past 34 years. He loved his community and built some of his closest relationships while living in the Tri-Cities.

A day rarely passed that David did not finish a novel, call his children or listen to music. An avid outdoorsman, David loved hiking, cycling and kayakingpreferably with his friends and family. His loyalty to all things REI will go down in history as will his abundant collection of outdoor gear. His smile was infectious and will be missed by all who loved him so.

A celebration of his life will be held on November 5, 2011, at 1 p.m. at Seattle Unity, 200 Eighth Avenue North, in Seattle.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to David's favorite charities Heifer International or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: http://1000memories.com/davidswalters.