David Fawcett

David Ray Fawcett, 64, passed away on May 1, 2007, with family and friends both close at hand and close at heart.

Dave was born June 19, 1942, in Pomona, Calif., the first born of Gloria and Ray Fawcett and big brother to Steven and Matthew Fawcett.

His early years were spent between southern California, Wyoming and northern California, and led to his wonderful teen years in Coalinga, Calif., where he was student body president at Coalinga High School.

Out of high school, David joined the Marines and later worked for Union Oil Co. in Santa Maria, Calif. He moved to Whitefish to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1977.

Dave shared his life with his great love of 42 years, Connie Fawcett, at their home in Whitefish, across the field from great friends, Bill and Marsha Voermans.

Dave later opened Whitefish Custom Meats, which connected him to many friends in and around the north Flathead Valley. He later graduated from the University of Montana-Missoula with a business degree and began Mountain Mortgage in Whitefish.

Dave and Connie have found home, purpose, and joy in this beautiful country of equally beautiful friends and community.

A love of equal joy and intensity was for his son Jason, who, with his wife Erin, now lives in Seattle. Dave planned his year around spending a long weekend at the drag strip in Seattle with Jason and fortunate others during the summer.

Both home and family were Dave's primary supports. His many friends and extended family always found the barbecue ready, the Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys, Queen and music of similar genre playing at plaster-cracking levels, the door open, and a welcoming heart and hand.

One of Dave's tremendous qualities was that of a quiet, caring, thoughtful and purposeful listener, which so many friends and family appreciated and gravitated toward as they shared their thoughts, feelings and ideas with him. Dave would hold up a loving mirror for them only if asked, and help them see their own light reflected in its surface.

Dave could discuss with you a layman's view of theoretical physics, '64 GTOs, macro/meso/micro economics, local happenings, world events, favorite lines from Shakespeare, football, hero cycles, metaphysics, engines, English literature, barbecue technique, early Spanish existentialist authors, Buddy Holly, best camping spots, Carlos Castaneda, jerky recipes, art, movies, music and generally all things beautiful, regardless of context. Quite a friend, husband, dad, brother, and man; he will be oh, so very much missed.

Dave is survived by his wife, Connie, of Whitefish; son Jason Fawcett and wife Erin, of Seattle; mother-in-law Wilma Atkinson, of Whitefish; father-in-law Conn Meckler, of Missoula; brother Steven Fawcett and wife Patty, of Whitefish; brother Matt Fawcett and wife Lynn, of Kalispell; brother-in-law Gerald Meckler, of Kalispell; nieces LaChelle Freeland, of Columbia Falls, Jenny Fawcett-Harris, of Missoula, and Emma Fawcett, of Kalispell; and nephews Jesse Atkinson, of Whitefish, and Zachary Fawcett, of Moscow, Idaho.

Arrangements for cremation have been made.