David Hamilton Messenger, Sr. passed away peacefully May 17, 2013 at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. David was born August 20, 1927 and was 85 at the time of his passing.

David was born in Kingman, Kansas to Roscoe Riley and Ruth Hamilton Messenger. He attended school in Kingman and upon graduation joined the United States Army in 1946.

After his honorable discharge, David met Doris Mae Nusser and they married in Syracuse, Kansas on April 30, 1948. They moved to Dufur, Oregon in 1958, along with five children. The family then moved to the Hood River Valley in 1960 and welcomed their sixth child.

David had a passion for hunting, fishing and outdoor activities. Above all, his real joy was spending time with family and friends. David and Doris thoroughly enjoyed attending various activities of their grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a longtime member of the Hood River community and was highly involved in the Elks, Masons and The Over The Hill Gang (a local search and rescue group).

David and Doris recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary surrounded by family & friends.

David is survived and will be dearly missed by his devoted wife, Doris; children, Marsheena Kay Messenger of Hillsboro, Oregon, David Messenger, Jr. (and wife, Nancy) of Condon, Oregon, Michael Messenger of Hood River, Oregon, Sharon Lofton (and husband, John) of Monmouth, Oregon, Teresa Fordham (and husband, David) of Albany, Oregon and Dewaine Messenger (and wife, Deanna) of Vancouver, Washington; two brothers, Roscoe Messenger and Richard Messenger (and wife, Betty) all of California; sixteen grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; a host of distant family and many, many friends that he has collected over the years. In addition to his parents David was preceded in death by three sisters and his ½ brother.

A service to celebrate David’s life and mourn his passing is planned for 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 24, 2013 at Anderson’s Tribute Center (1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031). Family friend and celebrant speaker Bob Huskey will lead David’s service and there will be tributes from the Masons, Elks and Military Honors. A time of viewing and to visit with family will be on Thursday from 4pm – 6pm at Anderson’s.

Memorials are encouraged to be made in David’s name to either the Masonic Lodge or the Elks Lodge Scholarship Programs.

Please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family.