David Dirden's Obituary
David E. Dirden was born February 13, 1965 in Pensacola, Florida to Barbara Jean Dirden and Bennie Cary Copeland.
David was educated in the public school system in Pensacola, Florida and graduated from Escambia High School in 1983. He also graduated from Pierce College with an Associate’s Degree in Accounting in 2002. He joined the United States Air Force in 1985 and was stationed in Tacoma, Washington. In 1990 he met and married his wife Angela Blanchard from this union five children was born. He was medically retired in 1990 from the Air Force.
David was a wonderful son, husband, father, brother, grandfather, mentor, friend and leader in his community and neighborhood. He was looked up to by many. Biologically David had five children, but he was a father figure to many kids during his lifetime. He was a very dependable, trustworthy and any time there was someone in need, David would give without a thought of receiving anything in return. He lived to help others and enjoyed it.
David enjoyed life as a whole. He always did things he enjoyed doing and always told others who was around him "if you didn't love what you were doing then, apparently you had no business doing it.” David wanted people to think he was capable of doing anything that he put his mind to. He was very resourceful and he would always find in his power to make a way out of no way. David did anything and everything to make sure his family was taken care of. He was the type that did not show emotions even when he was struggling, because of his faith and trust in God, he knew he was going to make it. For a small man in stature David was a giant at heart.
David enjoyed coaching his children in organized sports. He was also an avid domino player, loved cooking and family gatherings. At an early age he joined Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. He later became a faithful member of Deliverance Bible Church of Tacoma, Washington under the leadership of Pastor Samuel P. May. David loved working in the church in whatever capacity he was needed. He played the drums for several years with the Music Ministry and was a faithful member of the Usher Ministry. David loved his Pastor and First Lady. He always made sure his children attended church.
David leaves to mourn his wife, Angela of twenty two years, three sons, David II (Christine) (Germany) Jamal and Erskine, two daughters, Jasmine and Dashonda (Spanaway, Washington). One grandson David III and his mother, Barbara Williams, father Bennie Copeland, both (Pensacola, Florida). One sister, Florence (Tacoma, WA), three brothers, one who preceded him in death Bennie Jr, Terrance Pleasant (Baltimore, Maryland) and Tobias Cunningham (Kim) (Pensacola, Florida), grandmother Ella Dirden (Pensacola, Florida). A favorite Uncle, Ronald Copeland (Pensacola, Florida). Mother and Father in law, Earnest and Cynthia Blanchard (Chesapeake, Virginia). He leaves the following Aunts, Bertha Felton, Lena Carter, Sandra, Yolanda, Dementia, Jocelyn, Constance (John) of (Pensacola, Florida) and Aunt Gwendolyn (New Jersey) Frances (John) and Abbie (Pennsylvania), sister in law, Tujuanna (Keegan) (Virginia), three bothers in laws, Darryl (Mercedes) (Idaho), Earnest and Michael (Tacoma, WA), Quavion Swazer Godson (Tacoma, WA) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins family and friends.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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