Meaningful, short, inspiring and difficult life
David was a hardworking, bright, loyal and loving man. He was serious but funny, laid back and relaxed, and appeared to be happy. He was a man of few words, so when he spoke, his words carried weight. His mother said: “I always knew though, since he was a toddler, that he had a sadness deep within him.”
David was a perfectionist, good at everything that he attempted. He could draw and sing, and he was a master at his home renovation craft. He was a deep thinker and internalized everything; rarely articulating his emotions and deflecting his feelings by making people laugh.
David was passionate about home renovation projects. At 18 he started as a laborer, quickly learning and moving up until he gained the confidence to start his own business. He was patient and took time to teach his employees. It made him feel good to apply his knowledge and skills to turn something ordinary into something beautiful and to teach others a lifelong, useful skill.
The goals David set for his future focused on family. He planned on marrying the love of his life, Ashley, having more children and furthering his business by expanding into real estate. He wanted the entire family involved in his dreams, ensuring that everyone he loved had a path to earning a good living. Most of all, he wanted to be free from his demons and live a healthy life with his girls, Ava and Hallie, who he adored. He envisioned seeing them graduate and walking them down the aisle at their weddings.
David was very significant in his younger brother Kristopher’s life. Kris said: “David influences my life every day, from the man I want to be to the decisions I make. That man taught me everything I know, and I thank him for those moments we shared.” Kris feels that he needs to be a better man now that David is gone because his girls need a piece of their dad here for them.
David accomplished a lot in his brief life. His biggest accomplishment was being a father to his two daughters, a great brother to his siblings and a wonderful son.
The entire family misses his unique laughter. Sometimes they hear it in each other and smile, knowing that David left a little of himself with them. When frustrated, David always said “COME ON MAN.” Now everyone says that in his honor. His mom misses cooking his favorite foods, like meatloaf, grilled chicken and biscuits with sausage gravy. “I can still hear him saying, Mom, what’s for dinner, something smells good,” his mother said.
“Addiction did not change his spirit or his heart,”’ his mom said. “I could see he was in a battle between what he wanted and his realty. It took everything from him, his pride, dignity and his purpose for wanting to live.” David overdosed on the day he was going to rehab, just one hour before leaving.
His mom states: “I tell people his story and the story of our family. I do so hoping that it will inspire someone along their journey. I miss my son every day and I live on because I know that is what he would want.”
David’s mother, Jeana Malcolm, provided the information for this narrative.
August 31, 1988-May 19, 2016
Age 27-Lived with addiction 9 years
