David Joseph Paa
February 6, 1943 ~ October 25th 2012
David Joseph Paa was born February 6, 1943 in Sioux Falls, SD to Phyllis and Joseph Paa. He graduated from Washington High School. He married Barbara Smithback October 22, 1965 in Sioux Falls, SD, where they resided until 2009, when he and his wife moved to Fort Worth, TX. He worked at John Morrells for 28 years. In 1995, he was forced to go on disability due to his heart.
David loved his family dearly and was an impact on so many lives he came in contact with. He always had a helping hand extended to everyone. Dave was active in Christian Motorcycle Association. He was involved in prison ministry and Union Gospel Mission in Sioux Falls, SD and Sioux City, IA through Lighthouse Church. He attended Life Church prior to moving to Texas. His highlight was serving Thanksgiving and Christmas meals on the Rosebud Reservation for many years, which built wonderful relationships, trust, and love. Dave gave his life to Christ and came home on fire for the Lord returning from Promise Keepers in Boulder Colorado. God has made many changes in our lives since then and continues. After moving to Texas, David became involved in Child Evangelism Fellowship, Good News Club, Celebrate Recovery and continued to grow in fellowship with his brothers in Christ at the Mount through various activities.
On October 25th 2012, David went to be with the Lord after a long battle with heart disease.
David is survived by his wife Barbara, their three children, Lynne Immeker married to James Immeker of Fort Worth, Texas, Lori Randolph married to Ron Randolph of Adrian, Minnesota, Jeffrey Paa of Fort Worth, Texas, and his foster daughter Shawn (Mike) Rutland of Lake Steven, Washington. They have been blessed with 9 grandchildren and four great grandchildren with three great grandchildren on the way between January and April, 2013. Also, he is survived by two brothers, Dan Paa of Sioux Falls, SD, Don Paa of Lincoln, Nebraska, and one sister, Darlene (Tom) Furlong of Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
David was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Lyle, his father, Joseph Paa, his grandparents, Irma Katzenberger, Herman Katzenberger, Mary Paa, and Joseph Paa, and his mother-in-law, Alice Smithback.
David’s funny moments and sayings:
– Glad you got to see me.
– Thank you for the warning.
Boo story, when so sick and seemingly unresponsive, He waited for me to get close to his face and then say Boo.
Jokes about Dave’s big ears within the family brought continuous laughter throughout the years. One year, Christmas, he received two toilet seat covers with carpet on them and a piece to hold them together so they looked like ear muffs.
My sincere condolences on Davids death. I did not know him as an adult but it sounds like he was a happy and loving person, filled with love and kindness. this surely will be his legacy. I knew him as a child, I was a childhood friend of his Aunt Pat Katzenberger. We were 3 years older than David and like older kids thought anyone younger than us was a pest! How wrong we were to believe that and I can see he was indeed a person worth knowing. Rochelle Caldwell
Our Hearts are sadden to hear of Davids passing. He will always be with you in your memories and hearts forever. Again our deepest sympathies Warren,Lisa and family
Am thinking about you and your family. Seems not long ago our kids were at church and attending confirmation and confirmatin activities. Every time I go up the stairs I think of Laurie falling into the window.
So sorry about your loss.
Many of us remember Dave well. We wish all of his family peace during this time.
With sympathy, members of UFCW Local 304A
I am so very sorry for your loss. Wish we had known him and the rest of his family.
My husband is Greg Johnson, the son of Margaret Paa Johnson. The sister of his dad, making him and Greg fist cousins. Greg doesn’t know any of his Paa family (with the exception of e-mail with cousin Mike Gould) what a very sad thing. Wish we could have known Dave!
We would like to make a donation to the Rocky Mountain Children’s Home (Longmont, Colorado) in his name. It is a work we are associated with here in the Denver area sponsored only by donations from mostly area Churches of Christ.
Again, please except our deepest sympathies for your loss. The angels must surely be singing!! Very thankful to their cousin, Mike Gould, for sending obituary to us via email.
Barb and family, Sending my deepest sympathy to you and your families. First met David when you were dating him back in the days of our LPN years. You were blessed with many good years and memories and the legacy of your children. May God’s love and peace surround you and comfort you and your memories forever live in your hearts. Sending prayers and a big hug. Phyllis
David and I and two other young men from the area joined the Navy in 1963. We were inducted in at Omaha and then flew to boot camp in San Deigo, CA. We were in the same company, but as so often happens in boot camp we were seperated. I briefly talked to David years later in Sioux Falls. I am so happy to read about his walk with Christ throughout his life. You can be very proud of him, as I’m sure you are.
Lynn and Jim,My prayers go out to both and the rest of the Paa family. After reading obit,your Father is blessed and anyone he knew or met have been truly blessed. And again my prayers to you Lynn and Jim and your family.
Dave is now enjoying the rewards for his selfless giving here on earth and we are left with God’s gifts of memory – to recall the wonderful times spent with him, and the gift of tears – to wash away the pain and sadness until we see him again.
Dear Barb and Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Dave always had huge servant heart-always willing to give!
I remember when I got my house he helped remove paint from fireplace bricks.
He will be greatly missed.
Much love and many blessings to you and your household.
Karen Schwebach
Jim & Lynn, I was so sorry to hear of your
Dad’s passing. I count myself very fortunate
to have known him and I don’t think he had a
mean bone in his whole body. Just know that
my thoughts and prayers are with you all at
this time.
What a great guy! I am very, very sad to hear that he passed away. Every tear is a memory of how he made me feel good. I remember his nick name was The Big Ham and I can remember it being made up one night when I was eating over at your house, but I can’t remember how it happened. Doesn’t matter. He will always be associated with laughter for me.
Love to you all. Great big happy LOVE!!!
Lynne and Jim,
We are very sorry to read of Dave’s death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the Paa family during this time of grief. Know that we have thought of you two often and wondered where you were living. Hope Texas has been good for you.
With our deepest sympathy.
Dear Barb & Family; We are so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. We so enjoyed what little time that we had with you guys! May God bless and comfort you. Our love and prayers are with you.