We are deeply saddened to announce that David T. Findley, lover of life, fun, and family, passed away on October 17, 2020 at 62 years old in Tampa, FL. His passing was too soon and followed a brief battle with cancer.
David was born in Miami, FL to Gail Marie Smith and Robert Louis Findley on November 23, 1957, the fifth of five children. As a child, he split his time between Miami, FL, New England, and Anchorage, AK.
An example of resiliency, David gained independence at a young age and persisted through various hardships. He graduated from high school in Carol City, FL, at the top of his class.
David had two great loves in his life. He married Diane Patricia Lambert on April 22, 1978. Having met and married young, David was all but adopted into the Lamberts’ family, and was treated as a son by parents-in-law Ed and Shirley Lambert for the rest of their lives. David and Diane raised two children, Danielle and David Jr., together and had a single grandchild, David III, before Diane’s untimely death in 2007 after 29 years of marriage and her own too-brief battle with cancer. Through his heartbreak, David lived with a renewed focus on the important things in life. Among others, this included believing you should never drive a car you don’t love and never wait to do the things you really want to. He continued this pursuit of the good life until the end, even following his own cancer diagnosis.
David married Kelly Marie Robinson on May 27, 2012, in St. Augustine, FL. David and Kelly were partners from the beginning, referred to in unison more than not, and known for their undeniable love and the many adventures they had. Among others, these included traveling the world, spending time with their beloved family and friends, and enjoyment of live music. With Kelly came a daughter, Rachel, and a loving family and friend-family that also adopted David as their own.
David served in the Air Force as a young man. He worked as an Air Traffic Controller and other roles for the FAA for 30 years before retiring in 2013. Following retirement, he served in the Civil Air Patrol and worked as a private flight instructor, continuing his love for aviation. He also loved to golf, dance, travel, and be with his people.
David is survived by his wife Kelly Findley of Tampa, FL; his children David Findley Jr. and his wife Jennifer Findley of Lawrenceville, GA; Danielle Van Nostrand and her husband Caleb Van Nostrand of Roanoke, VA; Rachel Doyle and her husband Liam Doyle of Tampa, FL; his grandchildren David Findley III, Tripp Findley, and Ian Van Nostrand; siblings Bonnie Findley of Asheville, NC; Linda Findley Grow of Indianapolis, IN, and Robert Findley Jr. and his wife Paula Findley of Gainesville, GA; sister-in-law Lori Hannah and her husband Ray Hannah Jr. of Newnan, GA; brother-in-law Edward Lambert and his wife Michelle Lambert of Marietta, GA; sister-in-law Julie Fonteyn and her husband Christopher Fonteyn of Wesley Chapel, FL; sister-in-law Kathi Lansing and her husband John Lansing of Portland, OR; parents-in-law JoAnn and Robert Robinson of Etowah, NC; and a large extended family of nieces and nephews who all adored their Uncle David.
David is preceded in death by his first wife Diane Lambert Findley, sister Wendy Adams, and brother-in-law Andrew Brady.
Anyone who knew David knows that his passing is a tragedy. His warm personality, non-hesitant welcoming nature, fun-loving spirit, epic and unashamed dance moves, generosity and concern for those he loved, positivity, and wicked humor will be sorely missed.
A private service will occur at Bushnell National Cemetery at an undecided future date. Because if we could ask David how he wanted to be honored, he would say “throw a party!”, a celebration of life will occur in the Spring or when able to safely honor him in the manner he deserves.
David’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Moffitt Cancer Center for the care they provided.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to squadron FL310 of the Civil Air Patrol or to the American Cancer Society in his honor.
“Got no time for spreading roots
The time has come to be gone
And though ‘Our health’ we drank a thousand times
It’s time to ramble on…”
Led Zeppelin