David James Minor

David James Minor was born June 27, 1949, the third oldest of eight children, to Marion J. Minor (Ritchie/deceased) & David A. Minor (deceased), in Ft Benning, Ga. He had 7 brothers and sisters: John Minor, Dorothy Minor (Jackson/deceased), Joseph Minor,Vincent Minor, Martha Minor (deceased), Mary Minor and Judith Minor (Flores). His dad was in the Army so the Minor family were shipped around the world going to places like Germany (his Mom used to tell of David and a friend running into the kitchen hollering, "He hit me back first"), Austria, and Brooklyn (where when young his brother sent him out in a storm to go buy him a soda) until they settled in Lakewood, WA. At the age of 17 David himself enlisted in the Army (9/22/1966-11/11/1969) where he served as a medic and shipped off to Vietnam so that his brother John could come home. He didn't talk about Vietnam a lot because he did not like the person he was over there. He did tell some funny stories though. Once when he was driving an injured man through the rice paddies the jeep went off into the rice paddy and dumped them. The man was so mad he chased David around the jeep. Remember he was given his driving liscense at Oakland Army Base in California, during basic training. He was expected to drive the injured around without lessons and often found himself the wrong way in traffic. Another story he told was of when they were being bombed and a newby was leading who did not know what to do and the others around him all asked him what they should do. Though he was only a private he told them to get into the latrine (a ditch lower than the ground level) and they followed him to safety. In 1976 he married JoAnn Marie Minor (Heitman) and became “Dad” to her 5 daughters and one son (deceased): JoAnn Mauricia Harmon, Carol Raylene Harmon (Bozeman), Kymberlie Marie Harmon (McKay), Kariena Suzzette Harmon (Nelson/deceased), Treasura Faye' Harmon (Thompson). Their family grew by six more children: Samuel Thaddeus Minor, Maria Roseanna Minor (Pernell), Davida Maureen Minor, Joseph Joachiam Minor, MaryBridgette Burnadette Minor (Belshaw) and Jacob Lucas Tobias Minor. Then as the children grew they brought many friends who adopted David and he thought of them as his family. Quiet and unassuming his presence was felt by all. He taught many how to be a Dad and husband by the way he treated his family and always stayed even when things were tough going. And through it all he maintained his love of God and his witty sense of humor. After God his wife and chidren came then family and others who he loved to serve with a generous heart. When David and JoAnn married, they lived in Tacoma, WA. David chose to go back and finish high school even though he already had his GED certificate from the Army. He did this because he wanted to show his children how important it was to stay in school. He then went on to Bates Technical Vocational School and became an Appliance Technician. In Tacoma he worked at various jobs from car wash, gas station attendant to Appliance Technician (for Reekies, Salvation Army and others and eventually for Sears where they let him go after 17 years, just short of retirement). He enjoyed running in marathons and just racing in general and even ran a few with his children but always with his family cheering him on. He ran not to beat others but to have a good time, and he did even when he got heat stroke, blisters and sunburns. Once when he hit "The Wall" for the first time, he had to call JoAnn to pick him up, yet he perservered getting ready for his first marathan. David also, enjoyed campouts, bar-b-q's with family and friends, church gatherings (including reading his Bible and leading a Life Group in his home on Friday nights), going to movies (even what some called "Chick Flicks"), watching sports especially when his children played, going to his childrens concerts and school functions, being with his wife (who he celebrated his 30th anniversary in 2008, with a full church wedding vow renewal), serving at church and relaxing on the couch. The family was small by the time Sears let him go and they moved to Moclips, WA where David was sent back to college. He attended Grays Harbor College (GHS) where he graduated in 2005 with an AA/AAS and a Human Services Certificate. At GHS David served on the Student Government body and helped make many positive changes for the college he loved. He transferred to The Evergreen State College (TESC), graduating in 2006 with a BA in Psychology. With his focus having been with a heart for working in the chemical and substance abuse arena he sought a job with a company contracting for DOC which now is called Spectrum Health Care Systems. David loved working with inmates and those on probation and he enjoyed the people who he worked with. He had such a heart for inmates and the families left behind that he served in a prison ministry called Kairos International. He used to tell, his wife, of a guard at Shelton Prison who would give him his keys and tell him a new joke every day. He loved and had a very real sense of humor telling many jokes and he loved singing as well. His favorite song to regal his family with was, "Alices Restaurant" yet he loved to sing many Elvis Presley songs especially "Ezekiel's Chariot" which he started singing to his future wife when they first met. David would call JoAnn up just to say, "Hi" then sing an Elvis Presly song and say, "Well, just called to say Hi so good-bye" and then hang up. The first time he proposed he thought she was a widow. When he proposed he told her later it was because he thought she was a Holy woman and she had a ready made family. He had a beautiful voice and "Come to the Water," "Amazing Grace," "I Can Only Imagine," and "On Eagles Wings" were some of his favorite songs to sing with his church family, among others. Eventually, in June of this year, his illness prevented him from working and on October 2nd David went home to the Lord he served. His prayer was always for others salvation, especially his children and loved ones; that they would come to love and serve Jesus the King. David has left his wife JoAnn, to carry on the work of ministry to loved ones. From 12 children, he had 26 grandchildren (1 deceased in 2010) and 8 great grandchildren (actually one is on the way in Alaska), which includes those who have married into his clan, (but doesn't include the numerous children who adopted him as “Dad” and “Grandpa”) and is survived by 3 brothers and 2 sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins and many friends from work and church. His memory will live on in all of them and the wonderful church body of Calvary Chapel who surrounded him in his journey to the end of his life with support and unending love. His presence, though missed will be rejoiced for his new life with the Lord, where he will pray before the throne of God, for the salvation of souls. Many stories were told to David as he spent his last days in the hospital and we would love to share them with you. They will be at the memorial and we encourage all of you to write your own memory and send it or leave it with the family. Though we cannot read them to him they will bring comfort and joy to David's family as they start this new walk in life without his presense here. In leiu of flowers the family is asking for donations to be given to Calvary Chapel of Olympia for the funeral arrangements. Thank you for your love and support and may you all be blessed. Please come join us in celebration of his old and new life on Thursday, October 11th, 2012 @ 1pm with a pot luck meal to be shared following the memorial @ Calvary Chapel of Olympia, 919 Division St NW. His family and close friends will attend the funeral with a full military service at the grave site earlier in the day, but would love seeing all of you at the memorial and celebration. JoAnn Minor "Jesus Loves you and so do I."