David Tobey Obituary

David James Tobey passed away March 21st at The Gardens at Luther Park in Des Moines. He was 84 years old.

David was born on February 16, 1939 in Des Moines, IA. He grew up on the east side of Des Moines with his parents, Frank and Ann Tobey, watching over he and his younger brother Glenn. Together, David and Glenn provided many anxious moments for their parents, including when they were hanging out with their many childhood friends in the Dean Avenue neighborhood. Later on in David’s youth, the family moved to Wisconsin where David was exposed to fishing for bigger fish than he could catch in Iowa and to racing motorcycles on the frozen lakes.

David was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he explored many parts of Iowa to enjoy his outdoor hobby. He owned many motorcycles and vehicles throughout his lifetime, all of which he was able to maintain and repair on his own. He was a true Do-It-Yourselfer. This was truly the case with the stock cars he built on his own and then raced them for several years on a few dirt tracks in Iowa. He was united in marriage to Marilyn Ann Chase on November 21, 1964. David was a veteran of the US Navy, having served on the aircraft carrier USS Constellation. After his service, he began employment with Holmes Oldsmobile. He would go on to work for the dealership for 39 years. David was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and he served the Church in many capacities. David and Marilyn enjoyed spending time in their later years with their many friends at the Polk Country Eastside Senior Center.

Left to cherish the many fond memories of David are his three sons - Michael (Laura) of Urbandale, Steve of Omaha, NE and Duane (Stephanie) of Grimes. He is further survived by three grandsons - Jacob of Grimes, Andrew of Urbandale and Caleb of California, and by granddaughter Cassidy (William) of Austin, TX, along with two great grandchildren - Josie and Leo. David is also survived by his brother Glenn of California. He was preceded in death by his father and mother and by Marilyn, his wife of 55 years.

David’s family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Luther Park for the passionate care extended to our beloved David.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church of Des Moines.

ARRANGEMENST by ILES-GRANDVIEW PARK CHAPEL

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