David Winston Durbin's Obituary
Remembrances of the life of David Winston Durbin Our loving and gentle son, David Winston Durbin, left us Apr. 19, 2008 to be in the peace and grace of God. A celebration of David's life and legacy for family and friends will be 1 PM, Saturday, Apr. 26, 2008, at his church, University Place Presbyterian, 8101 27th St. W., University Place, WA. David was born July 21, 1972 in Seattle, WA to Leon and Beverly Durbin, and into a large and loving extended family. An inquisitive and bright child, David fell in love with words and music and was able to read at age 4. His passion for words, languages, reading, and music remained with him throughout his life. His love for these things and his respect for his mother and father's professions as elementary and secondary school teachers were responsible for David graduating from UW with a BA in English in spring of 1995. David went to work for WaMu Bank and pursed his passion for sports, especially for baseball and hockey. His memory and ability to correctly answer even the most remote fact of these two sports never failed to amaze his family and friends. Moving to Tacoma in 2002, David put himself through a rigorous 2-year Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) course at TCC. David supported himself during this time by spending his early mornings delivering the TNT and attending daily morning and afternoon classes. He is remembered by his fellow class members as always available to help. Graduating with honors, May 2006, and quickly passing state certification, David was immediately offered a position as a medical coder for the Multicare Health System in Tacoma where he excelled and was well liked by his team members. A great love and concern for all members of his large extended family was David's first and foremost focus throughout his life. David loved traveling with his parents to visit family and to see great American landmarks. As a child, he spent many happy summers visiting the farm of his grandparents, Herb and Tina Emmel, and the nearby farms of his uncles, aunts, and cousins in the Kenmare, ND area. As an adult, David was always a favorite of young family members. He loved to observe children or join in their games and activities at family gatherings and attend their sporting or school events. A lover of all animals, David loved the companionship of cats who were to David another member of his family. David was preceded in returning to God by his father, Leon, his paternal (Durbin) grandparents and maternal (Emmel) grandparents and grandmother (Berntson). Those who remain to celebrate his life are his mother Beverly (Durbin) Berntson, his second father, Steve Berntson, and the loving members of his Emmel, Durbin, and Berntson families. A memorial fund in David's name has been established at The Mary Bridge Children's Foundation, POB 5296, Tacoma, WA 98415-0296, an organization David supported.
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