David Lee First, 76, of Warsaw, Missouri, died on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, surrounded by family.
Memorial services for David were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 30 at the Reser Funeral Home in Warsaw. A visitation was held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 29, also at the funeral home.
Memorials in honor of David can be made to either the Convoy of Hope or the Springfield Victory Mission, in care of Reser Funeral Home, P.O. Box 910, Warsaw, MO 65355.
David was born on Sept. 25, 1942 in Muscatine, the son of Hunnas and Darlene (Giesel) First.
David graduated from Durant High School, after which he enlisted in the United States Air Force, spending time primarily in France and Germany. Following his honorable discharge, David moved to Chicago and attended DeVry University. While working at Motorola in Chicago, David met and married Kathy Sweeny on June 24, 1967. The family moved to St. Louis, where David worked several jobs in the field of electricity and electronics. They later moved to Edwards, Missouri. Once in Edwards, the family farmed and David worked several jobs, including construction and at Bishop’s Gunstocks. David settled into driving a school bus for the Warsaw School District until his retirement in 2004. In approximately 1977, he started working in jail ministry.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathy of Edwards; two daughters, Amber First of Warsaw and Kele First of Edwards; grandsons, Brandon Beauchamp and his children of Illinois and Jeremiah Dorney and his children of Oklahoma; a sister, Angela Kass of Iowa; and many nieces, cousins, relatives and friends.
David was preceded in death by his parents and sister Nancy.
