David Clayton Dovenbarger

In the celebration of the life of David Clayton Dovenbarger, of Gallipolis, Ohio. After a hard eleven month battle with Burkitt’s lymphoma, David began his journey with the Lord in Heaven. On November 28, 2013, David passed away in the arms of the love of his life, Sandy. David began his life journey on January 18, 1974 to James and Betty Dovenbarger in Gallipolis, Ohio. He spent his childhood and grew up in Gallipolis, attending the city schools. He began his life-long river career working as a deck-hand for Southern Towing Company of Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 17 in July 1992. On July 17, 1993 David met the love of his life, Sandy Leport of Pt. Pleasant, West Virginia. It took him a little while and much convincing, but she became his wife on July 26, 1996. David and Sandy were blessed with their first son Ethan Scot on October 26, 1994. David had now become a family man. On January 8, 1999, David and Sandy’s life became complete with the birth of their second son, Jacob Aaron. David built his world around, Sandy, Ethan, and Jacob. David advanced his career on the river as a chemical barge man. He continued advancing in his career as an engineer on the river boat. Upon furthering his education, David became a Pilot with Southern Towing Company in 2005. David enjoyed traveling the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers into the Gulf of Mexico meeting new people and seeing all the beautiful sights. David would not have traded it for anything, except for being home. Nothing was more important to David than spending time with his family and close friends. David loved hunting, spending many hours bonding in the woods with his sons Ethan and Jacob. He also spent countless weekends camping and fishing with family and friends creating endless laughter and memories. David was a big part of the River Valley family. He was an avid supporter of the basketball and football programs. He was Ethan and Jacob’s biggest fan. David’s charismatic personality and never-ending Raider support will be greatly missed and leave a void that will never be filled. David leaves behind, his wife of 18 years, Sandy, the joy of his heart, Ethan and Jacob, his “fur babies” Sassy and Gator and special mother-in-law Violet Barker. Also surviving is a brother Chris Dovenbarger of Gallipolis, three sisters Lori Gravely, of Gallipolis, Kim (Gerald) Truesdell of Gallipolis and Debbie (Mark) Boggs of Columbus, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father James Dovenbarger in 2003 and his mother Betty Dovenbarger in 2005, his brother Jay Lambert, and a nephew Tyler Gravely. Funeral services will be 2pm Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at Willis Funeral Home with burial following in Mound Hill Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday, December 2, 2013 from 4-8 pm at Willis Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Dillon McCoy, Riley Roberts, Zach Roberts, Gerald Truesdell, Quentin Russell, and Mike Curnette. Special pallbearers will be Jack “Kracker” Farley, Dylan Brown, Austin Lewis, Kyle Brown and Sean Roberts. The family would like to say a special thank-you for the love and care from the Cabell-Huntington Hospital 5 West Bed Tower Oncology Dept. SICU unit and Edwards Cancer Center. Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send e-mail condolences.