Dave Eugene Plunkett

Born in Riverside, CA to John and Elizabeth Plunkett. Siblings include Pamela Metzger, Sharalyn Sena, Bud Plunkett, Danny Plunkett, and Bev Forrest. Graduated in 1970 from Norte Vista High School in Riverside, CA, where he played football and met Lori Ann Ray, whom he fell in love with and married in February 1971. They moved to Grants Pass in 1976 and have been members of St. Anne Catholic Church since their arrival. He was employed by Pepsi of Medford as a delivery driver and eventually sales manager. He also worked at Williams bakery as a driver. He and Lori bought and developed the small but very successful and well loved community market and deli "Lil' Pantry'' in Merlin. Making friends along the way, he was known for opening early to make sure fishermen could take their donuts, sandwiches and snacks down to the river with them.

He and Lori had 3 beautiful daughters; Kimberly Ann Plunkett, Kristen Louise Plunkett and Katrina Rae Hart, all of Grants Pass. Then 4 Grandkids who made him the best Papa ever. And he was famous for his tag line "I love my Family!" often heard echoing off various hills during the multitude of hikes taken with family and friends. Dave's love of hiking and bike riding is well known especially by those who went along, as was his love of nature and his stewardship of the earth by his habits of recycling and willingness to pick up trash from wherever he was. He was a big supporter of the annual Rogue River Clean up day, North Valley High School, and all things Merlin. He loved to travel in his RV, which sparkled from all his washing and waxing, with Lori by his side and often with his extensive circle of friends. He made friends everywhere he went, he never met a stranger and maintained long friendships from those fast found friends. He enjoyed national, state, county and local parks and hiked many sections of the

Pacific Crest trail and just this year added part of the Appalachian trail to his long list. He was fond of finding local breweries along the way and sampling their beers, even found a few beers he didn't like.

Dave lived his best life and was often heard to express his appreciation of most things. His sister Bev can hear him saying of his arrival to heaven "this was the Best day EVER!"

He is survived by wife Lori, daughters Kristen Plunkett and her husband Derreck Johnson, Katie Hart and her husband Doug Hart, grandchildren Alyssa Plunkett, Alijah Plunkett, Austin Hart and Isabella Johnson.

Dave, as an avid biking enthusiast, had requested in lieu of flowers donations can be made to:

Rogue River Greenway Foundation

https://roguerivergreenway.org/

PO Box 1439

Rogue River, OR 97532

1-800-541-0925

Services will be at St. Anne Catholic Church in Grants Pass, Oregon on Friday, December 9th,2022 at 10:00am.