David Dewayne Parde

David DeWayne Parde, 54, of Lexington went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at his home.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at RCR in Lexington with the Rev. Dr. Keith Carroll officiating and will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/davidson.funeralhome. Burial with masonic rites and police honors will follow at Forest Hill Memorial Park, where the NCSHP horse-drawn caisson will transport his body to its final resting place.

The family will receive friends from 6 pm until 8 pm on Wednesday at Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington. All Covid-19 related precautions will be followed, including the use of face coverings and social distancing.

David was born on June 16, 1966 in McDowell County, WV to John Parde and Loretta Estep Parde. He was a retired Lexington Police Officer, who was shot in the line of duty in May of 1992 and was a recipient of the Civilian Purple Heart Award. David was an exceptional person and was admired by his peers. He volunteered with the local DARE program, spoke to local church groups and always inspired others by telling his story. David was never angry or revengeful due his incident and in fact, he used his injury to be a positive role model for so many people that he had come in contact with. He was a Cub Scout leader at Mount Tabor UCC Troop 215, volunteered for the Run Five Feed Five organization by delivering food to hungry kids in the community, and delivered donated items to first responders in the immediate days following 9/11. David was a devoted mason and chaplain of the Lexington Memorial Lodge #473 and was an Ambassador for the 27th district of the Masonic Home for children. He was preceded in death by his father.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Julie Heer Parde of the home; his mother, Loretta Estep Parde; a son, Brandon Gilchrist (Kristin) of Thomasville; a brother, John Michael Parde (Rachel) of WV; two sisters, Sandi Osborne (Rob) of Randleman and Lynn Smith (Eddie) of Myrtle Beach, SC; two grandchildren, Asher and Liam Gilchrist; and a host of nieces and nephews and other extended family and close friends, including his brothers and sisters in blue who he loved dearly.

In lieu of flowers, Dave requested donations be made to Ruff Love Rescue of Thomasville at PO Box 2013, Thomasville, NC 27361 or to the Masonic home for Children at 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.