David J. Dutcher
Posted By Kyle Nikola On April 20, 2017 @ 10:31 pm In Obituaries | 2 Comments
David Johns Dutcher, 69, passed away at the Good Samaritan Care Home in Riverside, California on April 1, 2017 from complications related to Dementia.
Born in Buffalo, New York on March 16, 1948, he and his family moved to Savannah, Georgia in 1957. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Special Education, returning to Savannah,to work for the Chatham County Board of Education in the Chatham County Public School System for several years. He moved to Southern California in 1980 and continued to be successful as a teacher specializing in Special Education. He also taught at the National University in Fontana, California. His greatest thrill was seeing his students grasp some esoteric concept that they never before understood.
Also, a patriot, David proudly served in the Georgia Air National Guard.
Throughout his life he had a huge interest and boundless enjoyment for listening and dancing to Country music. He also enjoyed working on automobiles, having worked as a member of the pit crew on several successful race cars in Southern California. On of the pleasurable activities was maintaining his bright red Corvette. In his younger years David owned his own race car, an old blue jalopy, #23 (his lucky number) that he raced at Oglethorpe Speedway in Savannah.
David married Shirley Stephens from Fontana, California in 2004 while at sea on a Carnival cruis ship with their families in attendance. David and Shirley truly enjoyed having a good time and could always be counted on to grace a successful party.
David was known as a hard working man. His fun loving nature, sincere heart and kind demeanor attracted many people; this is evidenced by his countless friendships.
He was preceded in death by his parents Carl & Elnora Dutcher. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Shirley Stephens Dutcher, Fontana, California; daughter Shannon Clark (Rick) of Guyton, Georgia; sons, Shawn Dutcher (Kathryn) of Albany, Georgia and Daryl Dutcher (Katie) of Palm Springs, California; sister, Paddy Ballard (Cecil) of Savannah, Georgia; eight grandchildren; a niece and nephew; as well as an aunt and several cousins in New York and Virginia.
David’s family wishes to sincerely thank the staff at Good Samaritan for the love and care he received over the last few difficult years. Most recently the CV Hospice Care, Inc. staff who were a Godsend to him and his family. Each and everyone are angels and we will be forever grateful for their tender mercies to him. God bless you all.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, Savannah, Georgia on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 2:00 PM. Family members and friends will reflect on happy memories of their loved one.
Final arrangements have been entrusted to Green Acres Funeral Home, Bloomington, California and Families First Funeral Care, Savannah, Georgia.
Remembrances: Alzheimer’s & Related Dementia Research, BrightFocus Foundation, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, MD 20877.
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David was my son’s h ighschool teacher. He was a wonderful teacher. my looked forward to going to school every day. My son and I were reminiscing over his favorite teachers. David’s name came up so I did some researching and he had passed away. He is with Teri, his Aide talking of all times.
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I’m so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. Just wishing we had seen him and visit him one last time. Our love and prayers from New Mexico.