David Meredith, 71 of Spearfish, passed away on December 31, 2016, in Tucson, AZ with his children, Brian and BeLynn, by his side. He will be truly missed by his family and friends.

David Odell Meredith was born November 5, 1945 in Seattle, WA to Floyd and Lillian (Pierce) Meredith.

His early childhood was spent in the Bowman, ND area where his parents operated restaurants and his extended family farmed. His family later moved to the Black Hills and David attended junior high and high school in Spearfish, where he excelled in football and basketball and made life-long friends. He met his wife of 50 years, Patricia (McLaughlin) Meredith while in high school.

In 1962, at the age of 16, he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Navy. David served his country in active duty from 1962 through 1966, along with time in the Naval Reserves. He was assigned to the naval destroyer, USS Marshall 676, based out of Tacoma, WA and San Diego, CA and toured the western Pacific and South China Sea- Subic Bay during the Vietnam War, supporting naval aircraft carriers.

In the fall of 1965, he married Patricia and the two spent a few years traveling and working between Boeing in Peyallup, WA, the Lampert Lumber Company and McLaughlin Sawmill in Spearfish before finally settling in Spearfish.

David had a very close relationship with Patrick McLaughlin, his father-in-law. Like the son he never had, David shared in Pat's vision of the sawmill and eventually took over the day to day operations and ownership of the mill. The two shared many hobbies, such as fishing, water skiing, snowmobile racing, touring motorcycles, rebuilding vintage and classic cars and airplanes.

As his children grew, he incorporated their interests in his life and wholly embraced raising and showing horses, and encouraging and supporting youth rodeo and 4-H events. He was a member of the Western South Dakota Buckaroos, an organization devoted to charitable causes through camaraderie and western tradition. He was also a member of the Custer Trail Riders and thoroughly enjoyed the communion of the gatherings and the history of the area.

He was a member of the Spearfish Volunteer Fire Department, and served on the Lawrence County Airport Board and the Butte Electric Board.

Into retirement, David enjoyed trying his hand at raising a few cattle, running yearlings and putting up hay on the new home place in Centennial Valley, along Polo Creek. He was a man who enjoyed helping others and saw the good in everyone and was always up for coffee or lunch at the St. Onge Bar with friends, new and old.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Lillian Meredith and his father-in-law, Patrick McLaughlin.

He is survived by his son, Brian and his family, Michela (Wiblemo) Meredith and granddaughters, Layla and Reagan; his daughter, BeLynn (Meredith) Johner and her family, Kent and grandchildren, Piper and Talon; Patricia (McLaughlin) Meredith; best friend, Larry Moore and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and many, many friends.

Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, January 11th at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish with a private, family graveside service with military honors the following day. A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, May 20th, 2017 at the Spearfish Park Pavilion. A memorial will be established in his name for the Butte-Lawrence County Fair.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com