David Mark Megahan

David Mark Megahan, 71, of Columbia, MO, quietly, peacefully, and with great dignity, moved from the living room in his home to the throne room of God in Heaven on Monday, January 2, 2023. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Visitation will be 10:00 am – 11:00 am, Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 101 N. Grace Lane, Columbia, MO where funeral services will follow at 11:00 am. Burial with be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Services will be live streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page at Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory, and Memorial Park Cemetery/Columbia.

David was born in St. Louis, MO on October 9, 1951, at St. Louis Maternity Hospital, the third son and fourth of seven children of Donald Milton and Wilma (Parks) Megahan. At the age of two, he and his family moved to Tyler, TX. Subsequently, they relocated to Austin, TX and to Lubbock, TX, as David's father followed his calls to various congregations in the Presbyterian Church. Eventually, after several years in Crystal City, MO, the Megahans, in the summer of 1968, arrived in Clayton, MO, a suburb of St. Louis, where David's father had accepted the position of Associate Minister at Central Presbyterian Church.

David went on to graduate from Clayton High School in 1970. With an interest in many fields, particularly geology and archaeology, it took him a few years to settle on a major. In 1978 he received his Bachelors of Science degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Missouri-Columbia's School of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife. His education gave him both academic credentials and a solid foundation in knowledge about wild animals. It also bolstered his desire to be involved in this area for the rest of his life, not only as an enthusiastic outdoorsman, but as the basis of his professional career. In the autumn of 1977, prior to his graduation, he began to do taxidermy projects on a paid, but small scale. That was the humble beginnings of Columbia Taxidermy Studio, an establishment that served customers --local, state-wide, around the US, and in countries all over the world-- for forty-four years. He mounted waterfowl, turkeys, fish, reptiles, large and small mammals, safari and exotic game, but his specialty was whitetail deer. He was involved with several organizations, such as the Wildlife Club at Mizzou and the Missouri Taxidermist Association, and garnered awards in numerous state, national and world taxidermy competitions over the years. He cultivated friendships with as many mentors as he could, knowing that he must always strive to improve his understanding and skills. David loved his work, as strenuous as it could be, because he appreciated the beauty and value of wildlife, enjoyed the artistry and craftsmanship that was required to produce a top-quality outcome, relished the relationships that he had with his clients (some with a loyal, three-generation following) and greatly appreciated the fact that he could provide for his family by being self-employed, using his God-given talents.

David did not focus his attention solely on his work, his life was filled with many hobbies and pursuits, among them: music, baking, hunting, arrowheads and fossils, bow-and-arrow-making, foraging, guitar playing, knives, leather working, gardening, poultry-raising, collecting rods and reels, fly-tying and trout stream fishing, especially in his beloved "Driftless Area" of southwest Wisconsin.

While in his youth, David moved around, finally circling back to the city of his birth, his wife Candace ("Candy") Welty, who was born at the same hospital as he was, stayed put in the area, growing up in a house just down the street from "Central Pres," where her family were members. David and Candy would occasionally see each other at church and at high school, but from their first date in August, 1972, they were inseparable. Their union in the covenant of marriage was officiated by David's father on October 5, 1974 at the church. They set up their home in Columbia, MO, finished their college degrees, worked in the studio business, welcomed, raised and cherished their son, James, and enjoyed fifty years of togetherness, through thick and thin.

Their long term commitment was bonded by their shared Christian faith. David faithfully and diligently served his Lord throughout his life, retiring in 2020 as Elder Emeritus at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Columbia, MO. In all of his life's endeavors, he purposed to glorify God.

David is survived by his wife of 48 years, Candy; his son, James David, of New York City; sisters, Julia (the late James) and Gwynneth (the late Dale); brothers, Donald (the late Debbie), Michael (Jo Ann), Stephen (Robin), and Timothy (Loretta); numerous nieces and nephews; brethren in the Lord, customers, colleagues, and friends.

Although he rejoices and serves in a new realm, David will always be in our hearts.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, the Rev. Dr. Donald M. and Wilma P. Megahan; in-laws Dr. John P. and Janese K. Welty; brother-in-law Douglas P. Welty (Terry).

Memorials in his honor may be made to AFTD (Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration), 2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120 King of Prussia, PA 19406 or Trinitarian Bible Society (U.S.A.), 927 Alpine Commerce Park, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49544.