David Lee Towns

David Lee Towns, 59 of Esko, died Friday, April 3, 2009 in St. Luke's Hospital, Duluth after a monumental three year battle with cancer and exceeding the limits of medical expectations. He was born in 1949 in Duluth, the son of Norman and Sylvia Towns. David was a 1967 graduate of Proctor High School. He married Kimberly Ettinger on September 30, 1984 in Duluth. David began working at the age of eight by working during the summers on his aunt and uncle's farm in Kettle River. At the age of 16, he began working full time at Adolph's service station. He worked as a mechanic and brake specialist at Shopper City in Duluth, then worked as an aneeler at Diamond Tool in Duluth for approximately 15 years. From 1987 until his retirement in June of 2008, David worked in the finishing/shipping department at Potlatch/Sappi in Cloquet. He transitioned his mechanic skills into being a self-taught computer builder and repairman. He was a member of Local Union #63 and St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Esko. As a young man, Dave enjoyed racing cars at the Proctor Speedway as well as racing motorcycles, winning numerous trophies. He will fondly be remembered as the "go to fix-it man." He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Sylvia. David is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife, Kimberly of Esko; four daughters, Tammy Towns of Barnum, Jacqueline (Jerry) McClure of St. Francis, Jessica Towns (Ron Citronwicz) of Savannah, GA and Melissa Towns (Tom Halvorson) of Duluth; three grandchildren, Cameron and Cara Angell, Nicholas McClure and a new granddaughter due to Melissa on David's birthday in July; one great granddaughter, Lilliana Angell; a brother, Dennis (Gloria) Towns of Duluth; an aunt, Verona Myron of Duluth; a niece, Kelly Towns of Cloquet; and a nephew, Kevin (Colleen) Towns of Brooklyn Park. Memorial Services were held in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Monday, April 6, 2009.