David Cain Jr.

Throughout his life, David’s spirit of kindness and inquisitiveness carried him to explore all that surrounded him and to try to find ways to do the most difficult tasks - especially helping others in need no matter the challenge.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, as the eldest child of David and Sue Cain, he moved to Gainesville, Florida, with them at 2 weeks. There he began his lifelong exploration of man’s and nature’s endless gifts, whether it was taking apart the telephone or joyfully paddling around in Lake Wauburg - all before he was a year old. His first sister, Christina Lee Cain, arrived when he was 18 months old and he was drawn to her like a magnet, always seeking to see and be with her – no matter the boundary or climb required. When he was moved to Connecticut for a year, he learned to dive and swim in a pool before he was two and was delighted with the deep snows, riding on a Dad-drawn saucer while holding his sister firmly in his arms. Returning to Florida, he was soon venturing into the Atlantic Ocean with his sister and very quickly had his new sister, Julie Cain Lummus, trying to crawl after him into the ocean surf. During his fourth year and to his great delight, his brother, Stephen Cain, was born and he would lead his sisters to the bassinette’s side for a “look see” at this newest arrival. Thus, began the life-long fun and loving relationship of the 4 little Cains.

It was clear early on that he was the leader – the first to travel in each of life’s steps to adulthood and was an example of First Communion, Confirmation, altar boy and boy scout. He showed them that despite many of the steps being difficult and some people – including parents – might not

understand, he had to accept his inquisitive spirit and follow his heart whether it was flying a plane, playing chess, ice skating or traveling to Haiti where he worked to figure out how to fix an old motor to return the village’s electricity.

After graduating from college, he worked and studied how both the hardware and code for computers could be maneuvered. His last 20 years were spent working to balance that technology skill with his calling and commitment to using his swimming and diving skills as a volunteer to save and help people who found themselves in harm’s way, and to raising his two children, Alexander Cain and MaryElizabeth Cain, both of whom he adored. David was blessed with a beautiful relationship with his fiancé, Deanna Burke, with whom he shared a deep and abiding love. He was a deeply spiritual person who lead by his example of using his skills to help God’s people and he suffered quietly but deeply on the occasions when he was unable to succeed. During the last year, his enigmatic genetic health problem resulted in a long and painful fight with MRSA – through which he fought for his life with courage and great personal strength and with love and support from Deanna, his sisters and brother, his parents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins, and his many friend from David’s Office of Emergency Management and Metro Information Technology work families. The doctors, nurses, and all the caregivers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center were amazing and gave their all to help him. All that love, prayers, hard work and good wishes has helped him through this most difficult period and we, his parents, are very grateful for all that kind support. The loss of him in all our lives is unfathomable and we will look to his example of courage, love, and determination to survive without him.

His funeral mass will be at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, December 20th, at St. Edward Catholic Church where he attended school, became an Eagle Scout and worshipped since 1977. It is located at 188 Thompson Lane, Nashville, Tennessee. Visitation with family and friends will be from 4 PM to 7 PM on Monday, December 19th at St. Edward Church. After the funeral mass, he will be interred at Calvary Cemetery, 1001 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37210. After interment, his family is inviting his friends to gather for fellowship and refreshments in the St. Edward Church's cafeteria.