David Lee Beardemphl

David Lee Beardemphl

5/31/1935 – 10/24/2022

        David peacefully entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Monday, October 24th, 2022, at 4:30 PM in Tacoma Washington, he was surrounded by four generations of his beloved family at the time of his passing. David lived a faith filled, spiritual life that he shared intimately with his family, friends, and community.

         David was born in Tacoma on May 31st, 1935. David is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Iris (Kuhn). His brother, Chris (JoAnn) and sister, Claudia. Sons, Ronald (Jan), Jeffery (Sheri), Michael (Stephanie), Mark (Kristy), and David.  Daughters, Pamela (William), Kristi (Cruz), and Teresa (Alec), and son-in-law, Cliff. David had 29 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. David was preceded in death by his mother: Viola, father, Delbert, brothers, Tom, John, and Arnie. daughter, Kim Anne (Cliff) and grandson, Luke.

        David attended Sacred Heart grade school, Bellarmine Prep High School, Knapps Business College, and he completed a Certified Catechism course at Seattle U. David honorably served his Country in the National Guard Reserves. He worked as a salesman for Frito Lay for 34 years. This earned him a nickname of “Papa Chips”. He earned several sales awards during his career at Frito Lay including Best Salesperson in the State of Washington and the West Coast. He was effective in his sales career, but his passion and life aspirations remained elsewhere. David passed up multiple opportunities of advancement so he could focus his time and energy on his family and the spiritual life he shared with his wife and family. David was one of the first Leaders in the Archdiocese of Seattle’s Charismatic Renewal Program. He collaborated closely with Father Leo Thomas, establishing, and writing the rules for this program. David and Iris became successful Christian faith educators, gave speeches at conferences, and became mentors for parishioners, friends, and family. At the Institute for Christian Ministries (ICM) they worked with 1,500 people, in the 20 years they were involved with the Ministry.

      David and Iris married on Monday, September 20th, 1954. They shared a loving relationship throughout their 69 years together. David was the ultimate romantic towards Iris. She recently mentioned a comment he had made to her on their wedding night. David looked at Iris and said, “Wherever we end up, and whatever happens to us, I will always love you and take care of you”. Iris remembered those words every day during the last 2 years caring for him. Iris said, “I knew he did his job, now it’s my turn to take care of him”.

      David’s greatest achievement may have been within his family life. He loved, and mentored his family as their father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Specifically, He and Iris lead family Advent meetings. These meetings were in their living room with family members spread throughout and extending into their dining room. David and Iris sat in their chairs, bibles in hand, with the smallest kids up close and wrapped around their ankles. They read from the bible, told stories, prayed for anyone with a need, and often spoke about affirmation and its importance. Together, they fortified their family’s uncommon love and respect for each other through these, life altering family meetings. The overall feeling of security, the warmth of the love present in the room was extraordinary and significant. David’s family respected him as the family leader and mentor of Christian and ethical, life lessons. The special love he shared with his daughters was obvious. Grandkids and Great Grandkids experienced and shared this same blanketing love from Grandpa.

David, our family Patriarch, has passed, but his teachings and his beautiful example of how to live a faith filled, Christian life, will live on for generations.  

We would like to express our thanks and gratitude for the staff at Browns Point Adult Family Home. The care you provided was superb and very loving.

Relatives and friends are invited to David’s funeral service and mass Friday, November 11th at 11:00AM at St Patrick’s Church, 1001 North J Street, Tacoma WA 98403.  Reception immediately following in church basement.  Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family at our online registry www.GaffneyCares.com.

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