David Lee Church

David Church embarked on his final road trip surrounded by his beloved family on January 23, after a prolonged battle with cancer. Tough all the way until the end, Dave never stopped fighting and found a way through the pain to be with his family, always.

Born at Petaluma General Hospital on October 4, 1939 to Lloyd Taft Church and Mabel Marie Stornetta Church, Dave (as most called him) was the second of four children. Older brother Donald and younger sisters Darlene and Diane grew up with Dave on the corner of Cleveland Lane and Western Avenue in Petaluma. As an infant, Dave participated in the family business, Church’s Milk Transportation, which was run by his parents and picked up milk all over Sonoma, Marin, and Mendocino Counties. Cradled by his Mom and calmed by the sound of the engines, Dave’s love of his family, being in a truck, and taking care of others was formed in those very early years on the road.

As a young boy, Dave still helped with the business as much as he could, while attending grade school at St. Vincent de Paul. Dave developed a reputation around town, with a great many stories behind him. Tough as nails and strong as an ox, Dave was able to lift multiple milk cans at a time into his truck on a daily basis, all while flashing his genuine and memorable smile.

Never a stranger to a good time, Dave continued to enjoy his younger years as he attended Petaluma High School as a member of the class of 1957. Dave played football, wrestling, and was an avid arm wrestler. Along with Donald, Dave could often be seen cruising the boulevard in their classic muscle cars, including his favorites, a ’56 Chevy and a ’61 Corvette. This was the reward for their hard work in the family business.

Dave married Deborah Erickson Church in 1962, and she blessed him with the greatest honor of his life, fatherhood, with the birth of his oldest daughter Cindy Lee Church on January 27, 1963. By this time, the family business had been sold, and Dave had gone to work for Posey Ready Mix in Novato, and Henris Roofing Supply in Petaluma. However, Dave’s calling was to follow in his parent’s footsteps, and he returned to the dairy business, working for the Petaluma Cooperative Creamery starting in 1970, and working there until the day he retired, September 27, 2001.

In all his years of driving the trucks and delivering milk, Dave left his mark on every route, from the Point Reyes Lighthouse, to the Sonoma Square, to the East Bay, and everywhere in between. Driving the relief routes gave him the ability to see countless ranching families grow and change over the years, keeping him connected to multiple generations of dairy families, much like his very own Stornetta Family.

Driving the truck and working for the creamery was one of the great joys of Dave’s life. His love of the road continued to shape him, as a chance encounter on Bonneau Road in Schellville introduced him to his soul mate and love of his life, Barbara Bambury Church in 1976. Dave and Barb were married 2 short years later on May 1, 1978. Captivated by his smile and his green eyes, Barb knew Dave was the man for her the moment she saw him. Anyone who was around Dave and Barb for any amount of time saw the deep love, affection, and commitment they had for each other.

Dave and Barb wasted no time growing their family, with the birth of their first, and Dave’s second daughter, Tiffany Ann on September 23, 1978. Not long after, the couple would welcome their second, and Dave’s 3rd daughter, Maci Marie into the world on November 3, 1979. Shortly after that, Barb was able to convince Dave to move their family to Sonoma, living on Barb’s family property on Bonneau Road. The move meant having his daughters working alongside of him on the property and became something Dave cherished. The girls would develop their father’s same love of farm animals, raising Black Angus and Herford’s, as well as Suffolk Sheep. Dave was able to teach his girls many life lessons during this time, and showed them the meaning of hard work, sacrifice, and also began instilling the “Dave Church Way” of doing things.

Later moving the family to the heart of Sonoma, Dave and Barb bought their first and only home together. Dave carried Barb through the front door the day they moved in, and spent his final days in the home he helped fill with love, memories, and the laughter that was his trademark. As the girls grew and graduated from high school, life moved quickly and Dave and Barb were on the fast track to being empty nesters.

After the girls moved out of the house and into their adult lives, they began their own families and blessed him with his next adventure in life, his grandchildren. Dave would proclaim himself “Papa” when his first grandchild was born, Hailey Yvonne, on April 3, 2002. A few years later, David Michael was born on November 4, 2005. Two months later, Lia Marie joined the family on January 11, 2006. In 2008, Morgan Kay arrived on June 7, and the baby of the family, Riley Ann was born on November 18, 2012.

While he enjoyed his retirement and his grandchildren, Dave missed the road. An opportunity to work with his son-in-law, Vince Briggs was too good to pass up. Dave would spend the next five years driving NS4 for Neles and Son Trucking in Schellville. If you ask Vince, Dave was able to learn a lot from their time together. However, Dave often reminded Vince that he had more miles driving in reverse than Vince had going forward his whole life.

It was during this time that Dave was diagnosed with cancer. The diagnosis made Dave realize it was time to fully retire and focus his attention on being completely available to his grandchildren. Dave became Tiffany’s co-pilot for many cross-town pickups and drop offs (and helped her avoid all potholes), attended field trips, was always early to pick up his grandkids from school so he could get his spot, and went to as many games and performances as possible for his grandchildren, always willing to voice his support, loudly. He was not only “Papa” to his own grandchildren, but “Pop” to so many more.

Dave was an active participant in many different clubs and groups throughout his life, most notably, he was a 50-year member of the Native Sons of the Golden West and a lifelong member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He was also a member of the Petaluma Pacers, the Optimist Club, and attended many Swiss dinners.  In retirement, you could find him at many club dinners across the County, though he may not have been a member of the particular group, he was often invited by those friends that were.

Throughout his life, Dave enjoyed a good cup of coffee and the company that came along with it. Whether it was the Pine Cone Café in Point Reyes, Mr. Mom’s or Marvin’s in Petaluma, Ford’s Café in Schellville, or one of the many stops in Sonoma- Pearl’s, Creekside Café, Black Bear, and Palms, Dave was able to get caught up on the local gossip and news of the day. When he no longer could make it to the coffee shop, or out in general, numerous friends, family, and those that knew him best made the effort to come see him, and Barb was always ready with a cup of coffee. The final few months of his life, Dave continually had visitors and phone calls, showing the gravity of his friendship with so many.

Dave will be remembered for the great joy he found in all facets of life. He saw setbacks not as failures, but as lessons learned and an opportunity to get better the next time. Spending time with his family, being present as a grandfather, and his adventures with Barb were things that he held near and dear to his heart. We will never forget his smile, the “Dave Church Way” of doing every project, or his incredible work ethic.  As a family, we feel blessed that as Dave came toward the end of his journey, we were able to gather in his presence and spend valuable time with him.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Mabel, and his in-laws John T. Bambury and Yvonne Marion Bonneau Bambury. He is survived by his siblings Donald Church (Nona), Darlene Schmidt, and Diane Jones. The love of his life, Barbara Church and his three daughters, eldest Cindy Church, Tiffany Briggs (Vince), and youngest Maci Church (Andrew). His five grandchildren David, Morgan and Riley Briggs, and Hailey and Lia Jerry (father Sean Jerry). As well as his five godchildren, Bonnie Church Wolzen, Chris Pedrotti, Bernie Buchanan, Dohnie Purdy, and Tracy Jones. Dave also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

The family would like to thank Hospice by the Bay for their care and support during the last year and half, especially his primary nurse Molly. Mortuary services provided by Parent Sorensen of Petaluma.  We would love your stories, memories, and/or photos of Dave. Please send them to [email protected] . In lieu of flowers, please donate to your preferred charity. A Celebration of Life will be held down the road….

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