David Link (73) beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023 while in Hospice care in Chandler, Arizona. While he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2000, he died from Acute Encephalopathy. We had only one week with him after that diagnosis. Although the process was quick, he died peacefully, pain-free, and with dignity.
David was born March 10, 1950 in Monmouth, Illinois to Kenneth and Marilyn Link. The family lived in Media, Illinois (a small farming community) until Dave was 10 years old. He experienced a unique extended-family dynamic, as he was raised with 24 first cousins who also lived in the same area. There were so many because 2 sisters married 2 brothers in the same area. As a result, the Cole Family and the Link Family grew quickly. Dave often spoke about how close all the cousins were and all the fun they had on the farm at Christmas and birthdays, especially.
Dave's parents had a second son, Thomas, in 1953. In 1960, the family moved to Arizona. He was shocked when he entered the 5th grade classroom with nearly 30 students who were all 10 years old. In Media, he had attended a small two-room elementary school house with only one teacher for the younger students, and the principal taught the older students.
He later graduated from Tempe High School in 1968. That was when Tempe High was the only high school in Tempe! He attended Arizona State University and received his BS in Sociology. He also joined the Air National Guard and served his 6 years during the Vietnam War era.
He met Roxanne Boice in 1972, and they were married on August 18, 1973. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary this year in La Jolla, California. They raised their two beautiful, intelligent daughters. Malen was born in 1979, and Lindsey was born in 1981. Both girls were a joy to raise. He loved his girls and was so very proud of their accomplishments.
Dave's career started at Tempe Parks and Recreation Department. For 5 years, he oversaw the Senior Citizen's Program and the activities for children with Special Needs. He then managed two Captain D's Seafood restaurants for 10 years. His final business endeavor was owning and operating three dry cleaning plants in Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler. He retired in 2007 due to his Parkinson's diagnosis.
He and Roxanne both enjoyed traveling. They traveled to Hawaii, Mexico, England, and France. They took numerous cruises along the west coast and down to Mexico. And the best cruise of all to the Panama Canal. They were also long-time season ticket holders to ASU football, Suns basketball, Cardinals football, and Rattlers football games.
Eating out was their ideal pastime, and they did it frequently. Friends were also an important part of Dave's life. He had a large and varied group of friends that he continued to stay in touch with throughout the years. This includes many friends from elementary school, Boy Scouts, high school, ASU, his fraternity, work, neighbors, and Blue Grass musicians.
In May of 2022, Dave moved to an Assisted Living Community. There, he met and made 50 additional friends. Everyone who knew Dave always said, "Dave is such a nice guy. We love Dave." And we will all continue to remember and love Dave.
Dave leaves behind his wife, Roxanne. His two daughters, Malen Link and Lindsey Tierney. His son-in-law, Ken Tierney, and two grandchildren, Ashlyn Tierney (15) and Declan Tierney (12). His brother, Tom; niece, Heather; and nephew, Andrew (Mehlia) and their two daughters. Along with aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn Jean Newman Link, and his father, Kenneth Gerald Link.
A viewing will be held at The Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery located at 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, Az on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. A graveside gathering will be at 11:00 a.m., and a light lunch will be served at the reception center from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary donation in David's memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation at Michaeljfox.org.
David Link (73) beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023 while in Hospice care in Chandler, Arizona. While he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2000, he died from Acute Encephalopathy. We had only one week with him after that diagnosis. Although the process was quick, he died peacefully, pain-free, and with dignity.
David was born March 10, 1950 in Monmouth, Illinois to Kenneth and Marilyn Link. The family lived in Media, Illinois (a small farming community) until Dave was 10 years old. He experienced a unique extended-family dynamic, as he was raised with 24 first cousins who also lived in the same area. There were so many because 2 sisters married 2 brothers in the same area. As a result, the Cole Family and the Link Family grew quickly. Dave often spoke about how close all the cousins were and all the fun they had on the farm at Christmas and birthdays, especially.
Dave's parents had a second son, Thomas, in 1953. In 1960, the family moved to Arizona. He was shocked when he entered the 5th grade classroom with nearly 30 students who were all 10 years old. In Media, he had attended a small two-room elementary school house with only one teacher for the younger students, and the principal taught the older students.
He later graduated from Tempe High School in 1968. That was when Tempe High was the only high school in Tempe! He attended Arizona State University and received his BS in Sociology. He also joined the Air National Guard and served his 6 years during the Vietnam War era.
He met Roxanne Boice in 1972, and they were married on August 18, 1973. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary this year in La Jolla, California. They raised their two beautiful, intelligent daughters. Malen was born in 1979, and Lindsey was born in 1981. Both girls were a joy to raise. He loved his girls and was so very proud of their accomplishments.
Dave's career started at Tempe Parks and Recreation Department. For 5 years, he oversaw the Senior Citizen's Program and the activities for children with Special Needs. He then managed two Captain D's Seafood restaurants for 10 years. His final business endeavor was owning and operating three dry cleaning plants in Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler. He retired in 2007 due to his Parkinson's diagnosis.
He and Roxanne both enjoyed traveling. They traveled to Hawaii, Mexico, England, and France. They took numerous cruises along the west coast and down to Mexico. And the best cruise of all to the Panama Canal. They were also long-time season ticket holders to ASU football, Suns basketball, Cardinals football, and Rattlers football games.
Eating out was their ideal pastime, and they did it frequently. Friends were also an important part of Dave's life. He had a large and varied group of friends that he continued to stay in touch with throughout the years. This includes many friends from elementary school, Boy Scouts, high school, ASU, his fraternity, work, neighbors, and Blue Grass musicians.
In May of 2022, Dave moved to an Assisted Living Community. There, he met and made 50 additional friends. Everyone who knew Dave always said, "Dave is such a nice guy. We love Dave." And we will all continue to remember and love Dave.
Dave leaves behind his wife, Roxanne. His two daughters, Malen Link and Lindsey Tierney. His son-in-law, Ken Tierney, and two grandchildren, Ashlyn Tierney (15) and Declan Tierney (12). His brother, Tom; niece, Heather; and nephew, Andrew (Mehlia) and their two daughters. Along with aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn Jean Newman Link, and his father, Kenneth Gerald Link.
A viewing will be held at The Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery located at 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, Az on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. A graveside gathering will be at 11:00 a.m., and a light lunch will be served at the reception center from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary donation in David's memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation at Michaeljfox.org.
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