David Cecil Emery

David C. Emery died September 30, 2020 of heart failure. Dave was born in Milford, Iowa to David F. and Norma I. Emery on November 18, 1928. He had three older sisters, one of which died in an accident before he was born, and one older brother. His family moved to Southern California while he was still quite young. After graduating from Long Beach Polytechnic High School he worked at Acme Mattress Co. for 18 years, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Luwanna Jean Wyatt. They were married August 5, 1950. They had three children, two girls and one boy. While at Acme Mattress he was both a journeyman and truck driver. In his late teens Dave was into drag racing and electronic time trials at the dry lakes. He belonged to both the Southern California Timing Association and the Rusetta Timing Association.
   Dave loved sports and played everything. When he was in the fifth grade he not only pitched for the fifth grade softball team, but also played short stop on the eighth grade team. He belonged to both the High-Y and the Y-Optimist at the YMCA. He also belonged to both the Downtown Boys Club and the Eastside Boys Club. Being an all around athlete he was active in sports till age 22, at which time he was drafted into the Army. He served with the elite Fifth Regimental Combat Team in Korea and was later honorably discharged with the rank of Master Sergeant.
   In 1965 Dave went to work for McDonald Douglas Aircraft Co. on the swing shift and moonlighted in the daytime working for Compton Cant Co. making roofing supplies. At Compton Cant Co. he ran a gang saw with up to 13 blades, depending on what they were making, and drove trucks.
   In 1971 David moved the family to Boise, Idaho where he worked for Nabisco until 1978, when he went to work at Consolidated Freightways. At Nabisco he did both warehousing and truck driving, and at C.F. he was both a dock worker, loading and unloading trailers as well as a truck driver.
   David and Luwanna both truly enjoyed their grandchildren. They attended all of their school activities as well as all their sporting events. After Luwanna's death Dave grew even closer to his grandchildren. He was known as 'Grandpa' by other kids as well as other parents, teachers, and coaches. The license plate on Dave's truck was GRANPA. One of the proudest moments in his life was when his oldest grandson and fiance of the time, came and asked him for his permission to be married on his 50th wedding anniversary. Luwanna Jean passed away in August of 1990, and at the end of 1991 Dave retired. Saying he "..did not have anyone to spend the money on so why work for it." He really enjoyed the freedom of retirement where he could come and go rather spontaneously. Shortly after retiring he was asked if he missed driving and he quickly replied no, but after a slight pause he amended, well yes he really did. After carrying a Class A commercial license for 46 years he couldn't help but miss it. Especially with the comradery that went with the profession.
   He was preceeded in death by; both parents - Frank F. and Norma I. Emery, his wife Luwanna Jean, his brother Lester R Emery and his wife Dorothy, his sister Thelma "Pinky" and husband Buck Warner, his sister Lucille and husband Manuel Cordeiro, his daughter-in-law Vicky Emery, and grandaughter Laci Sherwood.
   He is survived by two daughters; Denise Walters and husband Eric Walters, and Lianne Jarrels, and one son Daniel Emery. As well as seven grandchildren; Josh Walters, Justin Walters and wife Bailey, April Jarrels and Lia Cameron, Alexander Jarrels, Malinda Emery-Woods and husband Mark, and Dean Emery. Along with seven great-grandchildren; Gracie Walters, Carter Walters, Elizabeth Walters, Ashlie O'Kelly, Brolly Sherwood, Tieson Sherwood, and Kal'el Sherwood.