David Eugene Wise

David Eugene Wise was born March 31, 1948, in Johnstown, Pa. He died Nov. 25, 2018, in Sandpoint, Idaho

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert W. Wise Jr. and Helen K. Wise; and by an infant brother, Martin W. Wise.

He is survived by his sisters, Linda Litzinger (Roger), Donna Shinew (John Ross) and Judy Lacko (Larry); a daughter, Terry Surabian-Richards (Michael); a son, Daniel Albert Wise (Yvonne Trost); his grandchildren, Ashley Davis (Zachary), Barbara Ingram (David), Christopher Surabian-Richards, Jennifer Surabian-Richards Nunnelee (David), Daniel Albert Wise Jr. and Anakin Trost. He is also survived by former his wife, Colleen Derby; a stepson, Luke McDaniel (Vilma) and stepdaughter, Molly Bonville (John); five step-grandchildren; seven nieces and nephews and 16 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Thanks to special Idaho friends, Crissy and Emily and long-time special Johnstown friends, Larry Faust and Ron Vickroy; devoted and extra-special good Samaritans, Ed and Marie, who went above and beyond the call of neighbors; and special friend and doctor, Jade Dardine, MD, Kaniksu Health Services and Life Care Center of Sandpoint.

Dave was a 1960s YMCA state swim team member; master counselor of DeMolay; Tribune Democrat paper route carrier; worked for Dean Phipps Auto Store; a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ; and graduated from Johnstown High School in 1966.

He was first in his class as a U.S. Navy radioman; he served in various locations on land as well as at sea for President Johnson and Secretary of Defense McNamara at the Vietnam Peace Conference on Guam with S. Vietnam president and the president of North Vietnam; emergency staff radioman on a nuclear sub to Saigon, Vietnam; volunteering for riverboat or marine patrols in the Delta, he was pulled one night into duty elsewhere, hearing later that the entire squad had been ambushed and there were no survivors! Imagine having been the only survivor and to be the person to send that news back home!

Even after his regular enlistment had ended, wanting to continue his defense of our country, he re-upped for a second stint during the Tanker Wars; and a third time during Desert Storm/Desert Shield in the California U.S. Army Reserve.

He worked for various auto dealerships and was selected to drive Oliver North in the 2006 Freedom Tour. He was licensed by the California Bureau of Security & Investigative Services for fugitive recovery; hired by California Bakersfield College Department of Safety; and Securitas Security Systems of Fresno, Calif.

He retired to Idaho where he became caretaker of 30 acres of wooded land with multiple cabins, a large garage and other maintenance buildings. Ultimately known as “Mad Mountain Dave,” he was self-sufficient and as helpful as possible to his neighbors.

Thanks to his stepdaughter, he was able to adopt two military working dogs and Katie, a Jack Russell Terrier that accompanied him everywhere, wrapped around his shoulders, even into stores. He lost all three dogs in one year. Spiraling downward, he then adopted Radar, Hawkeye and Hot Lips to complete his new team, and thanks to his stepson putting a roof over his head, a driveway and electricity to his cabin he kept on surviving.

David has been a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion as sergeant at arms and the National Rifle Association.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Honoring his wishes, there will be no viewings in either Idaho or Pennsylvania. However, he will be honored with a military burial in Arlington Cemetery, Va., on a future date. Condolences may be sent to Donna Shinew, 232 Walters Ave., Johnstown, PA 15904. Donations in his honor can be made to: https://missionk9rescue.org/donations-to-mission-k9-rescue/ or mailed to Mission K9 Rescue, PO Box 395, Needville, TX 77461-0395; (713) 589-9362. This is a non-profit organization with no connection to the U.S. government. They received the 2017 Helping Heroes Award.

Family and friends are invited to sign David’s online guestbook at coffeltfuneral.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.