David Petersen Laskey ended his battle with Alzheimer’s on Monday June 22, 2015 after having spent Father’s Day with his children the day before. He had just turned 69 on June 8. His illness was very rapid and took a sudden turn for the worse. Dave was diagnosed with the disease in October. He had been residing at Arbor Terrace for only 4 months.
In 1970 Dave joined the Navy to become a Fighter Pilot. His goal was to fly jets – the best, in his opinion, at the time was the F4. He obtained his goal by being top in his class. During his training program his instructor “punched” them out. This was a crash that nearly cost him his life. After 6 months in a hospital bed in Texas he was flying again, determined to “get his wings.” He became an instructor in Kingsville, Texas and went on to train many Navy F4 pilots. However his passions was flying not training. He stayed in the Navy in the active duty capacity for 12 years. When the commercial airlines started hiring, he decided to head in that direction and continue flying in the Navy Reserve program. He was hired by Eastern Airlines in 1979 and flew there until its near demise in 1989. He was very excited to be hired by United Airlines and finished his career there in 2006 – on his 60th birthday.
He retired from the Navy with 26 years with the rank of Navy Captain, of which he was very proud.
Dave true love was his children. Dave married Robin Creighton in 1969 and his first son, Creighton was born. Creighton lives in California with his wife Shannon and their two sons Edward 14 and Clark 9. After many years of being single and a confirmed bachelor, Dave married Brenda. She was a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines. Brenda and Dave have two children, Philip 23 a student at Georgia Tech studying to be a Mechanical Engineer and a daughter Megan 21, a student at the University of Georgia who will be a teacher soon. It has been said on many occasions, “If you want to see Operations clear out just say… here comes Dave Laskey with more pictures of his adorable kids.” He did love all three of his children and was very proud of them.
Dave is also survived by his younger sister Lynn Turnbull who lives in California with her husband Dave Studeman. They have two daughters, Kacy and Kristin Studeman.
Dave will be missed by friends and loved ones. His life was cut way too short but it was filled with love and laughter. Dave is with his Heavenly Father and is not suffering anymore.
In lieu of flowers the family request that donation be made in Memory of Dave to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.Alz.org ----- Donate ------ Tribute/Memorial Donation.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 25, 2015 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Funeral Services will be Friday, June 26, 2015 at 4:00 PM at
H.M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel
1157 Old Canton Road
Marietta, GA 30068.
(770) 977-9485
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