David Wilder

On Saturday, March 12th 2022 David Eugene Wilder, A.K.A Dad, Daddy, Deddy, Grandpa, Papa, Davi and last but not least… Honey said goodbye-for-now. He hopped on his ride out for the next part of the journey where he’ll meet up with all our other other loved ones further down the road. Those of us still here are scheduled to meet up a little later.

David was part of a small band of Wilders (never a more fitting clan name) who migrated to the Land of the Pines from the Show Me State 60ish odd years ago. They’ve been competing with Kudzu for title of most invasive species ever since. Seriously… there’s even a road named after them.

Once they had laid down roots there were some years of mayhem and mischief and legendary exploits that many of us have either played a part in or learned about through many a story at family get togethers. Some were whisper worthy and others told at half-laugh, but all were worthy of a listen.

He eventually got a cushy gig at Concord Lace, working with his best friend, also known as Pop. He had an office with a view… to an absolutely majestic electrical transformer that somehow attracted enough hand-sized cockroaches that it turned a shade of undulating bug-brown every evening. You might have even seen it yourself since no less than 85% of the family served a sentence there (Pattern 7972 anybody?). However, our terms were short in comparison. David and Pop hit that punch clock day in and day out for roughly 35 years, “making somebody a lot of money” as he would often say. Eventually Pop passed the baton and David continued making rolls of fancy, frilly, oily fabric for another ten or so years across 3 states – chasing the tail end of American textile manufacturing.

Throughout all those years despite some things being consistent, it did take David some time to find his path. He married a few times, creating his own branches in the tree along the way until finally he was lead to love of his life, Cheryll. They had one papoose together, and one came along with the deal, bringing him to a solid 5 on the kiddo headcount. It wasn’t easy and it definitely wasn’t perfect, but what is? 44 years later they have become inseparable. The things you fight for the hardest are the most treasured once won.

David sized up at about 5 foot 6 inches tall, but he always came across a bit larger than that reality. Some of us even imagined it might just as easily have been him rather than Sly Stallone when we were watching movies like Cobra, Rocky, Rambo or Over The Top. He was a rather similar mix of bits that ran through those characters. He had just the right amount of crazy about him. He possessed a stubbornness that could be infuriating but also made him the guy to get the job done. He was a cool hand, but you didn’t want to push your luck. He was a quick thinker, and he knew how to turn a wrench. He was tough love, but if you dug deep enough you’d hit some soft spots. He was pretty skeptical of everyone he met, but once you were “in” he was loyal to a fault. He had a lot of good one liners that are not appropriate for network television. His other best friends were his dogs. He even had a side-kick… his name was “Uncle Smith” and he only had six things to say to anyone that was looking for trouble.

He’ll be missed so much more than he has ever expected he would be. In order to leave no doubt in his mind there was a warm family send-off that included more than a few strolls down Memory Lane and some good natured ribbing. We made sure there was way too much hand-holding, hugging and forehead kissing which of course he would have absolutely been annoyed by. It was oddly satisfying to torture him with all the affection he’s so expertly avoided for 70 some-odd years, but to his credit, he still managed to grumble about it plenty.

True to form, he did not go quietly or with any respect for the disease that has plagued him for so long.  Like so many of the heroes in his favorite westerns he fought right to the very end and we wouldn’t have had it any other way. He seemed happy and content to have spent a little time with so many loved ones – and not one of us rested until he did.

Yippee ki-yay, Dad. We love you and I guess we’ll see you when we see you!

David heads out to reunite with his mom Anna, Faye, his Granny and Mawmaw and Herman.

The stragglers are his wife Cheryll, father Pop, Kids - Ang and Jeff, Bird and Susan, John-boy and Shelby, Sis, Bluejeans and Amy along with a whopping total of 17 grandkids. Then, bringing up the rear are his brothers and sisters - Gary and Kathleen, Larry and Pat, Kelly and Kirk, Paul and Anna and a whole slew of nieces and nephews.

If you’d like the extended version of this tall tale come grab dinner some time.

A graveside service will be held Friday, March 18, 2022 at 2:00 PM in Forest Hill Memorial Park. There will not be a formal visitation. Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family.