Think me not unkind and rude,
That I walk alone in grove and glen.
I go to the God of the wood,
To fetch His word to men.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

David Sherman Love of Mukilteo, WA. left to join his Lord and savior in the heavenly choir on Friday, Nov. 18th at the age of 85. Born July 7, 1937, in a house at Mountain Home, ID. Dave moved to the Lewiston Valley at age nine where he made many lifelong friendships during his school years. At 17, and with his mother's signature, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was deployed to Okinawa, Japan, shortly after graduating Lewiston High School in 1955. He served honorably and returned to Bridgeport, CA. for cold weather training then to Nevada where he was discharged in 1960 with the rank of Corporal.

Upon returning home to Lewiston, he met and proposed to the beautiful young woman who would become his cherished bride for the next 63 years, Martha C. Shoop. They were married in the 21st Street Assembly of God Church on March 7, 1959. God soon blessed them with two children and the family was complete. Dave went on to gain auto mechanical experience, skill and knowledge beginning with his employment in a local filling station and then serving as an apprentice auto body repair tech. A career that would span more than 45 years. Dave was known far and wide for his quality craftsmanship and expertise.

In 1966, Dave moved the family to Kalispell, MT. where he finally established a relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, an endeavor he had been striving for his entire life. He began serving in Kalispell and Big Fork churches as a Sunday School teacher and lay minister aspiring to study and spread the teachings of the Holy Bible. In the summers of 1969 - '73, Dave spent his free time managing a small vacation resort of six log cabins on nearby Echo Lake. After a three-year residency in Sandpoint, ID., he returned to Lewiston still serving his church, raising his children and working full time as an auto repairman. It was during this period he also took an interest in learning the difficult arts of aircraft painting, modification and repair.

In 1979, Dave applied and was accepted into Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary so he, his wife and daughter were off to to Tacoma, WA. for the next four years. Upon graduating with a Master's of Christian Ministry in 1983, he and Martha were assigned to establish and pioneer a new Bethel Foursquare Church in Anacortes, WA. As a pastor, Dave was instrumental in the motivation and leadership of a monthly community prayer gathering and had a strong relationship with Christ the King Church as well. When not leading services at the church, performing weddings and funerals or counseling those needing guidance and relief, he could sometimes be found at the airport fixing a broken plane or the marinas repairing a scuffed boat. This would occupy the next 38 years of his life.

When Dave's health began to suffer, he and his wife moved to be near their daughter in Mukilteo, WA . Now retired from ministry, they attended the Forward Foursquare Church and still helped where they were needed. Among those waiting for him in glory are his parents, Charles R. (Bob) and Irene M. Love, and an older sister Shirley who passed shortly after her birth. Martha C. Love, Dave's wife survives him at their home in Mukilteo. He leaves his son Anthony T. (Irene) Love of Lewiston and daughter Suzan (Mat) Bartee also of Mukilteo. Four grandsons; Andrew Bartee of New York City, NY., Alex (Mackenzie) Bartee of Olathe, KS., Aaron (Bette Jane) Bartee, of Chelsea, VT., and Adam Bartee of Mukilteo. Dave was recently blessed by the arrival of his first great-grandchild, Rosa Marie Bartee. He had a deep pride in all, praying for each and every one continually. Dave also leaves his older brother, Robert W. (Pat) Love of Boise, ID.

Along this path, Dave picked up the ability to play guitar, wrote a few books and magazine articles, hiked the backwoods, fished the waters and enjoyed the nature of God's Earth. He and Martha were blessed to make so many good friends, we know all will miss Dave.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.
The old has gone, the new is here!

- 2 Cor 5:17 (NAS)

To share memories of Dave, please visit www.evanschapel.com/obituary/dave-love