This afternoon I went on David Kingsbery/’s Facebook wall to wish him a Happy Birthday. I read his obituary. I started working with David in 1990, which was my 2nd year at First Union. He was a good co-worker and a great friend! David and Danyse attended my 70th birthday celebration on February 3, 2024.

Hi Danyse, 
Wanted to send my deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of David.  I know this has been so difficult for you and your family.  I also know, you know, he is no longer in pain and in a better place.  You will see him again someday.   Hugs!  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

David and Bonnie Kingsbery washing dishes while camping, 1964 or 1965.

Camping trip to North Carolina, August, 1982. L-R, back row: Norma, David, Harry; front row: Meredith, Stefanie, Katharine, Danyse.

David and Harry G. Kingsbery camping ca. 1957.

David Kingsbery, November 1957, 4 years old.

Norm Thompson, left, and David Kingsbery playing a duet at the Kingsbery home in Miami Shores, Florida, Christmas, 1977.

Norm Thompson, left, and David Kingsbery, about to head off to Europe, fall 1973.

David Kingsbery, one week old, held by his mother, Mareida.

(End of the memorial that I read at David's funeral:)

After I graduated from college, I took a trip to Florida for a week or two most winters for many years, staying with David’s parents, Mareida and Harry. I remember playing Clue with David and Danyse and Danyse’s brother Kenny in Miami. I was the photographer for David and Danyse’s wedding. When Walt Disney World opened, David and Danyse conveniently lived about an hour away in Ocala, so I invited myself to stay at their place on one of my winter vacations. (This is a hazard of living near a major tourist destination – everyone wants to come visit you.) When David and Danyse moved to Charlotte, I visited them at their home with their two young daughters, Sarah and Katharine. David and Danyse have always been so wonderful about welcoming me into their homes with open arms.

I have always felt very close to David’s parents. They were really a second set of parents to me. And David and Harry and Bonnie have felt more like siblings to me than first cousins.

It’s difficult for me to visualize a world without David in it. David always had a smile on his face. He was always upbeat, easy to get along with. I feel honored to have had him in my life.

Norm Thompson
29 March 2024

This is the text of the memorial that I read at David's funeral:

After I heard the news of David’s passing, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I went out and took a long walk around our neighborhood. As I walked, I thought about all the time that I had spent with David over our lives. David’s mother and my mother were sisters, and they were best buddies growing up and all through their lives. This closeness carried down to the next generation, too. While David and I were growing up, our families got together almost every summer. Occasionally at my family’s home on Long Island. Occasionally at the Kingsberys’ home in Miami Shores. But most commonly here in North Carolina. Our two families piled into Grandma Rector's apartment here in Charlotte – ten of us in a two-bedroom apartment. There were always trips to the playground in the park near her apartment and picnics at Freedom Park. And then we took up camping, with trips most summers to the Smoky Mountains. It seemed there was always a bit of adventure associated with these camping trips. I remember there was relentless pouring rain on one trip. After a few days of this, we were running out of dry clothes and gave up and retreated to the apartment in Charlotte. Another time the campground was frequented by skunks. The skunks were very bold as they were looking for food scraps. One skunk strolled right under Uncle Harry’s camp chair, while he sat perfectly still so as not to anger it. The scariest incident was when a bear slashed the Kingsberys’ tent with its claws in the middle of the night, right next where Mareida was sleeping. That was the end of that camping trip.

When David and I were in college, we spent eight weeks traveling together in Europe. We started out with $500 in cash each and managed to get that money to carry us through for eight weeks, including all our train trips, food, and lodging, which was always at youth hostels.

[Out of characters... continuing in a separate entry...]

I will always remember and cherish the wonderful memories of camping at Highlands hammock State Park, and Collier Seminole State Park with the Kingsberys. We called ourselves the Ogberrys!  Many times we were accompanied also by the Howett and the Powell, who called themselves  the Howpows!  First Christian Church of Miami was a place where we built our friendships and our Christian faith. The Kingsbery were always there for our family. We shared so many wonderful holidays and fun times. I know David is up in heaven with Mareida and Harry.  Sending love and prayers to the family.🙏♥️

Our thoughts and prayers are with Danyse and  her family!
Dean and Diep Tong - CPCC

The team at Project Outpour sends our thoughts and prayers to  David’s family. We enjoyed his company when he volunteered with us to support our unhoused neighbors. We will miss him!

David was a great co-worker and kind man, always offering a supportive word, obviously a testament to his faith. My condolences to his family, he will be dearly missed.

I remember David from Horace Mann and Miami Edison where we were long time friends and members or many organizations including Interact. We worked on many projects together and in the summer before college we worked together at an apartment complex cleaning stairways and a clubhouse where many parties were held. As I remember it payed quite well over $5/hr 
We haven’t kept up well these last years but enjoyed seeing him and Danyse when they visited in Tampa area and even visited with him and his mom one year.  I have many other fond memories of when we  were in school together and drove to school with him and his sisters. 
All I can say is he will be missed and I pray that his memory provides blessings to all that new him and cared for him 
Eli Freilich

David was a second father to me, Greg and I send our love and comfort!

From all of us here at Christmount, we are sending our love and hugs and support to the entire family.

My heart goes out to you, Daynse, along with Katherine, Sarah and the girls.  He was a great man, kind and sweet.  You and David were so great together, and built a wonderful life in your 48 years of marriage.  May God grant you peace and comfort in this time of need.

I remember David always willing to help when and where needed when attending Eastway Christian Church for so many years. He was a good man. A man of Faith who loved his family.  Although I haven’t spoken to him in a few years, I’m thankful our paths crossed on this earth.

OBITUARY

David Rector Kingsbery

October 16, 1953 – March 22, 2024

McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park

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