David Michael Erwin of Lowry City was born August 4, 1937 in Urich, Missouri to Eugene and Louise Erwin. He passed away April 29, 2017 at his home in Lowry City after a long battle with cancer.
He entered the service on the buddy plan with his best friend Jack Helm and proudly served in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1960. Dave trained at the Naval A. School in Memphis, Tennessee. He also trained as a jet engine mechanic. After discharge from the service he went on to marry Carol Compton of which 3 of his sons were born. On June 27, 1980 he was united in marriage to Glenda Levin as he called her Sugs. He moved to Lowry City, Missouri and acquired 3 more sons and a daughter. This is where he made his home and resided for the remaining years of his life.
Other than the Navy and working for Peabody Coal for 26 years he was known to farm with area farmers, do plumbing and electrical work and never missed a chance at being onery. He loved camping, fishing, gardening, his animals and spending endless hours cooking out and having drinks with friends and family. It wasn’t rare to catch him riding around in a dune buggy, sitting on the carport with friends, spoiling grandchildren or his most recent passion of tilling, planting and maintaining his beloved garden. Dave never met a stranger and had a nickname for everyone. If he was around being onery, everyone was smiling and having a great time because he made sure of it.
He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Louise Erwin; brother Donald Erwin and two sons Lonnie and Lennie Levin.
David is survived by his beloved wife Glenda, of the home; 4 sons, David Michael Erwin II and wife Kim of Urich, Missouri, Nick Erwin and wife Lisa of Bulverde, Texas, Chris Erwin of Clinton, Missouri and Ray Jaro and wife Anna of Lowry City, Missouri; 1 daughter Lisa West of Springfield, Missouri; 10 grandchildren, Angie Gonzalez of Harrisonville, Missouri, Amy Erwin of Urich, Missouri, Michael Erwin of Urich, Missouri, Alana Erwin of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Emilee Erwin of Lubbock, Texas, Ashley Erwin and Victoria Erwin of Clinton, Missouri, Joshua Levin, Nathan Seifner and Keyshya Seifner of Springfield, Missouri as well as 7 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Steve Erwin and wife Jeannie of Urich, Missouri and Gary Erwin of Mountain Home, Arkansas.
“Green and Yellow”! “Nothing runs like a Deere” A Common site and phrase when around him because his love for John Deere was a faithful one.
The family would like to send out a special thank you to Scott and Kim with Heartland Hospice for the amazing care Dave received and a special thank you to Dave’s friends for all their love and support during his illness. In 2016 Dave chose to accept Jesus as his personal Savior which was a great comfort to him and his family in his final days.
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