Obituary of Alexander David Marsh " Big Boar Dave"

ALEXANDER DAVID MARSH June 30, 1979 – October 3, 2016 A funeral service will be held on October 21st, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Church in the Valley, 23589 Old Yale Road, Langley, British Columbia V2Z 2K4, preceded by a viewing at 1:00 PM for those who wish to pay their final respects. Refreshments will be served following the service. No internment will be held. In lieu of flowers, kindly make a donation to Church in the Valley which reaches out to the local community through its Acts of Kindness ministry. Charitable receipts will be issued for donations in excess of $50. Alternatively, gifts in memory of David may be made to Focus on the Family Canada to support their work with single parents and their children. For those who are unable to attend, the service will be streamed live through: www.churchinthevalley.ca On October 3rd, 2016 Alexander David Marsh “Big Boar” was called home to be with his Lord while on a moose hunting trip in northern BC. Born in Calgary, Alberta on June 30th, 1979 this chunky baby came into the world just 14 months after his big brother Rob, and was raised in a Christ centered home with younger sisters Eva Marsh and Victoria Marsh. We fondly recall that at the age of 7 David found the Good Shephard when he accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior through a gospel preacher that our family loved whose name was Bob McLaren. On February 2, 1992 David was baptized along with his brother Rob and first hunting friend Joel Gould, publicly displaying their commitment to follow Christ. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." John 10:27-30 In 2003 while at the Cloverdale Rodeo with his brother Rob, David met Cory Lee Scott, the tall, intelligent woman of his dreams. They became best friends almost instantly and David and Cory fell in love. David always said that Grandpa Jake told him the best deal he ever made was marrying the love of his life, so on July 19, 2008, David promised to Cory his beautiful bride: “I pledge my love to you, Cory because I believe God has brought us together and to this place today. With deepest joy, I receive you into my life that together we might share all the experiences that lie ahead. I promise to stand by you, pray with you, love you, and respect you, helping you to become the complete person God has intended you to be. My promise in the presence of God and these witnesses is to be your faithful husband until God by death shall separate us.” Cory always stood by David, kept the same vows and keenly feels the loss of her best friend and lover. Those 13 years were action-packed, filled with fun and seemingly endless adventure. On September 5th, 2016, together they joyously welcomed into the world their daughter Alexis Jordyn Lee Marsh, a precious “papoose” sporting more hair than her daddy! Sadly just four short weeks into Lexi’s life, her daddy became a legend. Her Grandma Jo and Uncle Jason (Joanne Scott and Jason Scott - Cory’s mom and brother) and Cory’s father and step-mother (Larry and Cheryl Scott) will have their hands full if she’s anything like her mommy! Cory’s grandma Bernice Brewster, Uncles and Aunties Paul & Marylou Staals, Dean Henderson & Susan Sorenson, Linda Scott & Ivan Laughlin, Gerald Scott, and cousins Christine & Sean Henderson and Trevor Laughlin, will keep this intimate reflection of David close to their hearts too. David’s parents James and Nora Marsh, together with Rob and his wife Shauna Marsh, and sisters Eva Marsh & Victoria Marsh are deeply saddened by the loss, and the huge void that he left behind will never be filled. The four siblings were a force to be reckoned with and often partners in crime with their cousins Shane (Allison) Shapansky & Scot Shapansky. His Uncle Don & Auntie Shirlee Shapansky, Uncle Paul & Auntie Willie Shapansky treasure priceless memories of his childhood and holiday celebrations especially. He was the “hero” to his nephews, Rob and Shauna’s children: Matthew Robert (8), Benjamin Allen (6), Joshua Luke (3), and Nathan James (1). These nephews couldn’t get enough of Uncle Dave’s surprises, magic tricks, archery and attention. He meant the world to them, and the whole family misses him sorely. David’s Grandparents Jacob & Lorrine Shapansky and John & Mabel Marsh, Uncle Peter Marsh, Auntie Lois Lorton (nee Marsh) and Uncle Robert (Bobby) John David Shapansky have gone on before him to meet their Saviour. His Auntie Ruth Barraclough (nee Marsh) living in England and Uncle John Marsh living in Kenya missed out on the opportunity of getting to know David, but loved to hear of his tales. David’s cousins (Peter & Enid’s children Andrew, Paul & Stephanie, and John’s children Stephen & Paula) had very few encounters due to distance, but were well aware of what he was about. Over the past ten years David, often with Cory, travelled the globe hunting while he day-traded, making thousands of friends both online and in person, and he enjoyed documenting their travels while he was seeking the next big adventure. Being a risk taker at heart “fear” was never in Dave’s vocabulary. and “Risks” were never a deterrent - only an obstacle to calculate, challenge and conquer the next time around. Our family grieves his passing, but we are comforted in knowing that although David is absent from his earthly body, he is present with his Lord and Savior, and one day we will be reunited with him. He will be deeply missed by all of his family, friends, archers, and the hunting community across BC. David was Chairman of the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia and founder of an online Sheep Hunting web page, which is still growing. He took up archery a couple of years ago, winning first place in Washington State but was disappointed to subsequently take second place in the BC Provinicial Competition & Canadian Nationals in 2016. He was excited about going to the World Competition in 2017 in Europe and thought with his new composite bow he stood a pretty good chance of redeeming himself. Cory and David’s family would like to thank all the people who tried desperately to save his life, doing all they could to keep him alive. A heartfelt thank you to his hunting partners, Jason Earl & Keely Kibala who being with him at the time of his passing followed instructions perfectly and did everything possible for their friend. A personal thank you to Keith Neithercut and Ryan Topp of the BC Ambulance Dispatch center. When Dave told his friends to reach out for help to Rob by satellite phone, Rob patched them through and when Keith and Ryan received the call for help, they put the rescue operation into action immediately. We tip our hats to the Joint Rescue Coordination Center for dispatching the cormorant helicopter and rescue personnel from Rescue Squadron 442. Many kindnesses have been shown to Cory throughout this difficult time, and we don’t know how she would have fared without special friends like: Allison & Tyler Dunlop along with Laura Anderson & Dave Rainey who all gave special care for Cory and Lexi during Dave’s absence while hunting and comforting her as his untimely death unfolded; Christina & Patrick Service, Dareck & Chelsey Faichuk, Jilleen Anderson and Sarah Friesen for providing special dietary supplements for Lexi; and Chris Wheeler stepping up to look after their favorite four-legged girl Duchess (Dave’s obedient hunting companion). David, no doubt you’re already causing a stir as you’ve embarked on the greatest adventure of your eternal life. Don’t forget to keep a lookout for us – we won’t be far behind! To those of you who haven’t yet found the Good Shepherd, make it your mission to find Him before it’s too late, and join us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16