David Lynn Wells

Mr. David Lynn Wells, age 79, of Marietta, Georgia, passed away Saturday, October 12, 2024. Dave was born on October 5, 1945, in Paoli, Indiana, the third of six children to Charles and Kathleen (Kellams) Wells. He spent his childhood in French Lick and Clarkesville, Indiana, growing up with many cousins and siblings. He was a true Hoosier at heart and always loved the southern Indiana farms and Indiana University Basketball.

Dave graduated from Clarkesville High School in 1963 and joined the U.S. Navy the same year, serving as an Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician (AX rate) and helicopter aircrewman with the HS-3 Tridents in Norfolk, Virginia. He flew and logged many hours in the Navy’s Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopter. He loved to share his many stories of his time in the Navy, and had deep appreciation for naval ships, aircraft, and military history. He served on the the USS Guam and the USS Intrepid, and flew to pick up the astronauts that were part of NASA’s project Gemini upon their return. The Navy also introduced him to the beginnings of electronics and computer technology that sparked a lifelong career.

Once leaving the Navy, Dave studied electronic engineering technology at the University of Cincinnati. He worked in various jobs learning and working with computers and designing circuit boards. In 1977 he was hired by Hewlett Packard in Indianapolis and spent 30+ years working for the company, staying with the group when HP started Agilent Technologies in 1999. The company offered him a position in their Atlanta office in 1988, and the Wells family moved to Marietta, GA where they have lived for the past 36 years.

Dave married Karla Komlanc on October 30, 1976 in Indianapolis, Indiana. They had four children-Beth, Robert, Colleen, and Charles. The family has grown to include 2 son-in-laws, Ryan and Tyler; a daughter-in-law, Jessica; and five grandchildren: Claire, Graham, Amelie, Savannah, and Madeleine. Being Dad and Papaw were his absolute favorite parts of life. He loved family, would drop anything and be there for us at any moment, anywhere in the country. There was a camera in hand, a dad joke, and a smile everywhere he went.

Exceptionally intelligent, Dave had a constant curiosity and an engineering mind that never stopped learning. He could build, fix, or solve anything, and often left a little undone to (maybe) finish later. An avid reader, Dave was like a talking encyclopedia with a wealth of knowledge on many subjects, especially history, politics, houses, wood working, and automobiles. He loved jazz and classical music and taught himself to play trumpet. He was a big sports fan and especially enjoyed rooting for the Atlanta Braves and Indiana University basketball, watching with a passion and loudly refereeing from home. Bobby Knight couldn’t compare to the living room coaching skills of David Wells.

Dave was a friend to everyone and a stranger to no one. A true neighbor, he loved to converse endlessly with the Hampshire neighbors on his walks with his miniature poodle Rudy, who was always by his side. He was a helper- to family, friends, or strangers- and was always available to lend tools and a helping hand. His humor with endless dad jokes, sarcasm, and wit will be greatly missed.

Dave is predeceased by his parents and brothers, Joe Wells and Steven Wells. He is survived by his wonderful wife of 47 years, Karla Wells, of Marietta, GA, and his children: daughter, Beth (Ryan) Robinson of Acworth, GA; son, Robert (Jessica) Wells of El Cajon, CA; daughter, Colleen (Tyler) Campbell of Summerville, SC; son Charles Wells of Seattle, WA; and his grandchildren: Claire and Graham Robinson of Acworth, GA; Amelie and Madeleine Campbell of Summerville, SC; Savannah Wells of El Cajon, CA; and many extended family and friends.

The visitation for David Wells will take place from 6-8pm on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at the Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home in Kennesaw, GA. The funeral service to honor the life of Dave Wells will be on Monday, October 21 at 11am at St. Clare Catholic Church in Acworth, GA.