David Lee Ingraham

David Lee Ingraham 6/14/38 – 9/04/21 “I’m the luckiest guy in the world” he said, before he went home to be with our Lord on the fourth of September, 2021. In the end, he saw only light. He chose family. We walked in; he took our hands. Father, mother, son and daughter, reunited in an embrace. “Oh, I missed you. I’m blessed. I’m so, so blessed.” We were given four days and an opportunity to link-in our huge family; despite the distance and our circumstance. As we held the phone, they filled his eyes, ears and heart with words of joy and peace. The words spoken to him there, we share together here; in honor of our beloved husband, dad, brother, grandad, great grandad, uncle, cousin, friend “Dave”. This great big tribute, we made together, and he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way: David Lee Ingraham was born June 14, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, to his parents, the late George Anthony and Edith Elaine (Herrington) Ingraham. A US Navy Veteran -it was while on leave in 1959 when he met Joyce, the love of his life, on the beach in Norfolk, VA. Theirs was a 61-year marriage; a true love-story that resonates through the hearts of those who know and love them. Dave’s career as a graphic artist/draftsman began while in the Navy and his impeccable works span the industries of Electrical Manufacturing, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Automobile and Petroleum Industries, Advertising, Food & Beverage and inestimable projects and missions for local businesses, churches and loved ones. He loved music; playing piano, guitar, the harmonica – all by ear. He sang; a voice of purity that grabbed the soul and drew tears. He loved golf. He loved bringing laughter to his family and friends. He loved sharing. He loved Family. He loved God. Our family’s words of love: “You’re the epitome of a gentleman. I love that you cherish my Aunt Joyce. You have smiles for everyone and a happy heart that’s contagious. I love your stories; how you met Aunt Joyce, the Navy and your career. I love hearing you sing and how you exude joy over even the little things in life, like cookies at a family gathering. You’re a wonderful example of how we should all live life -with joy, love and a good sense of humor.” “Grandad, I love you, man. You’re a pillar of strength for the family and the most spiritual man I’ve ever witnessed. Never folding or giving up faith. You stood by your family, took pride in us and loved us all the same. I’m grateful to have had these years with you. I appreciate you and will miss you dearly. …until next time.” “You brighten a room when you walk in. Never in a bad mood. You smile. You’ve visited and been there for me in the worst of times – and slipped me some cash in a lot of them. You’ve always been a man I’ve looked up to and respect.” “I was only 5 when you became my best friend and personal jungle gym. You never turned me away. Your magic tricks amazed me. I loved going camping, to the movies, searching for driftwood, getting lost in the stores; me in the clothes racks and you in the music section, playing piano, drawing an audience. You and I were like two helium balloons -and sister was holding the strings. You were my first dance partner. You brought me mistletoe every year. You are Bob Hope, Milton Berle, Bing Crosby and Dick Van Dyke rolled into one. I could never ask for a better brother.” “I love you, Great-Grandad.” “I love when Great-Grandad plays piano in our house.” “I love when he does Donald Duck.” “My precious brother, Dave. You’re a sweet, kind and gentle spirit with immense love for Jesus and family. A true gentleman. One-of-a-kind.” “Uncle Dave, I will always be grateful to God that my parents were your friends before I was born. You were always strong in faith, as a husband and as a father. I love your sense of humor and I thank you with all my heart that you made me feel like family. I love you and will miss you until I see you in Heaven.” “You accomplished so much in life. You had no regrets and were thankful for everything God blessed you with. You’re an awesome mentor in my life and you set the bar high for manhood. A model gentleman and family man. Humble. You lived a simple but powerful philosophy: Honor God, Family and commitments. In that, everything else took care of itself. I’m proud to call you my uncle, but in so many ways, you’re so much more. I love you, Uncle Dave.” “There is not a kinder soul than that of David Ingraham. You served the purpose of a true saint, also coming with many jokes and stories. No face nearby without a smile. I had my first dance with you and honestly, I wouldn’t have wanted my first dance to be with anyone else. I always got to kiss my amazing Grandad under the mistletoe. I have no doubt you’re up there, even making the big man laugh.” “I loved visiting your house with Grandmom & Grandad. You always showed me where the sugar cubes were because you knew I loved them. And your wonderful jokes -the one about the MIKErowave that talked and you would turn it on for me. Haha” “Thank you for loving me just like another Grandson. You are truly one of the purest men I ever got the privilege to meet. Rest easy, Grandad.” “I’ve been blessed, just having you as a friend, ‘brother’. You’re the greatest guy ever in my life.” “Kind, caring, compassionate, strong, loyal, fearless, loving, smart, admirable, funny, resilient, harmonious, artistic, pure of heart – a man of God. My Uncle Dave. You’re everything God intended a man to be. The mighty way you love and honor my Aunt Joyce has inspired me. I love you and will forevermore eat the corner piece of cake because it has the most icing and I’ll think of you.” “You’re a beautiful, creative, selfless man. You’ve touched our lives in a precious and unforgettable way. I love that you sang The Lord’s Prayer at our wedding and designed our invitations. I love the sweet and gentle way that you sang at my mom’s funeral. You have a way of making others happy – and bringing everyone together with your music at the piano, no matter the occasion. All our love, always…” “Remember when we were doing the polka and we saw Joyce and Bob had fallen to the floor? You said ‘hey Rainy, look who’s down on the floor, ha-ha, let’s dance by them and see how they’re doing!’ We danced over there and all of us just laughed. And the time we were all standing in line and you had your pocket full of malted milk balls. You started shaking your leg so they’d fall out on the ground from your pants as we walked. We had the best of times with you and Joyce.” “David, I love you. You’ve been a blessing to our family and your place in heaven is prepared. Let go and let God.” “One of my favorite memories involves a classic riddle. You asked ‘what weighs 1,000 lbs, is yellow and flies?' I pondered and guessed but couldn’t figure it out. Then you replied “two 500lb canaries!" I was overtaken with laughter and have shared that same riddle among friends. I have very fond memories of you, Uncle Dave. -the true patriarchs of a family don’t go around touting measure, they handle life like Uncle Dave.” “Dad, thank you for entrusting me with your daughter. You genuinely touched people in your actions, words, music and demeanor. If it wasn’t for you eating all my Pop Tarts, you’d have been perfect. God bless.” “Dad, as a child I thought you were superman. You could do anything and everything. Your creative abilities were beyond my comprehension. I was probably 10 when I realized you were a mere mortal like the rest of us; you had stepped on a rusty nail when we were gathering wood for our fort. You still maintained your mild manner even when injured and in pain. You set the bar so high, being a perfect example of what being a man, husband, father, uncle, brother and son should look like. Your Christian walk inspired so many and your love for family was unconditional. I treasure every moment spent with you and Mom and thank God for the blessing you have been to our family and so many others.” “Dad, from the time I met you to today, you’ve never changed. You’re the happiest, most welcoming person I know. From the Donald Duck sneezes to the mistletoe and everything in between, you’ve made me feel like a part of the family; a daughter, not ‘in-law’. I’m thankful for the wonderful qualities passed down to my Greggie. I could look the world over and not find a better husband or father. I love all your jokes, even the corny ones that make Mom say “DAVE!” You are the best Dad anyone could ask for and I love you!” “Dad. I’m consumed by gratitude and emotion, but this is one time I can’t say all the words I want to. These last days we shared were a gift; a time of reflection; a time to share my promises; a time to answer the questions I imagined you might have, still unanswered; a time of question; a time of despair; a time to cry; a time to deny what was happening; a time to protect and watch over you, as you always have us; a time to thank you for every breath of life you ever took. Dad, there is no man like you. ‘Good night. I love you. God Bless you. See you in the morning’.” “I always told my David ‘you’re the best of the best’ -truly he was! Nothing was too hard for him. His heart was always open for our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family and friends. My David is in his heavenly home with God, family, friends and our blessed son, Chuckie. And I will be with him again when I see my God, my Jesus, in Heaven.” Dave is survived by his wife, Joyce Marie (Feeney) Ingraham; his son, Gregory L. Ingraham and daughter-in-law, Bobbi Jean Ingraham; his daughter, Pamela (Ingraham) Trader and son-in-law, Steven E. Trader; his brother and sister, Edward Feeney and Joyce Feeney; his sister and brother, Dollie Glasgow and Johnny Glasgow; his grandchildren, R. Jordan Miller and Melba Miller; G. Tyler Miller, G. Brandon Ingraham and Hunter Hite; Rebecca (Ingraham) Murrell and Matthew Murrell; his great-grandchildren, Maddox Tyler Miller, Joanna Marie Miller and Halen David Miller; his cousins, Ernest and Carol Clark and family, Clifton L. Morris and family, Samuel and Denise Workman and family; his nieces and nephews, Edward, Dana and Alex Feeney, Brooke Feeney, Mike and Kristin (Feeney) Clendaniel and Logan, Holden and Rory Clendaniel; Charles Ecker, Austin Davidson, E.J. Glasgow and many more loving relatives and wonderful friends. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, George and Edith Elaine (Herrington) Ingraham; his mother-in-law, Doris (Morris) Burnham; his loving nieces, April Mae Ecker and Ciera Parkinson and his beloved baby son, David Charles (Chuckie) Ingraham, whom he holds in his arms once again, in Heaven. Our “Celebration of Life” for Dave will be held at the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Steve and Pam (7940 Pintail Drive, Parsonsburg, MD 21849), on Sunday, September 19th between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm. We welcome all family and friends to come and stay a while -or come and go; enjoy something to eat and, if you wish, share a sentiment or a favorite memory of “Dave." In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Dave’s honor be sent to either of their two beloved churches: First Baptist Church of Delmar, 501 Bi-State Blvd., Delmar, MD 21875 and Allen Memorial Baptist Church, 1303 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD 21804.

David Lee Ingraham

June 14, 1938 - September 4, 2021