Change is the essential process of all existence.” The events of Friday
September 04, 2020 gave rise to a change we could not have prepared for,
nor could we have predicted. Our son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and
friend, David Charles Bohanon, a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of
Oklahoma, journeyed to be with our Lord, for eternity.
Our loss is so very difficult for a multitude of reasons. He has been the
bringer of joy and lightheartedness since he was gifted by God, to Jacob
Steve and Gertrude Christine Bohanon on April 30, 1962. His older brother,
John aka Jerry, lovingly welcomed him and spent years changing diapers and
chasing David, keeping him out of harm’s way and mischief, as well. A few
years later, a sister, Melanie was born, and David spent years chasing her,
and failed to keep her out of mischief. As David grew, he did all the usual boy
things. He dreamed of being a pilot. His favorite childhood memory was of
meeting astronaut Alan B. Shepherd. One day he brought a small jar of baby
copperhead snakes home to his mother (yes, she screamed) and he tried his
hand at basketball and baseball, but chronic asthma hindered his play. He
soon became interested in music, reading and model aircraft building.
As time passed David’s passion for music grew stronger and he took
advantage of many opportunities to play and sing outside of school, at First
Presbyterian Church; in his father’s choir at Haskell Indian Nation’s University; in the Lawrence City Band; the Jazz House Swing Band; in the acapella group 8:1; and, various other musical groups. In 1980, David graduated from Lawrence High School. He attended the University of Kansas where he loved
playing in the KU Marching Jayhawk Band. David also attended Haskell Indian Nations University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. Afterward, David attended Baker University and received a master’s degree in Business Administration. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a position at Haskell as an Information Technology Specialist, and faithfully served the Haskell community for the past 17 years.
David, “Bo”, “Uncle Bo”, “D-Bo”, “Dave”, wore many hats, by choice. He loved Lawrence, it was where he grew up, it was home. He was active in his community. He played in the Lawrence City Band; he served as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church; he played in a bell choir at First Pres, as well; he
served on numerous committees at Haskell; he crafted award-winning
models; played golf, trivia and poker; and he found time to take some
absolutely stunning photos. Over the years his friend group grew by the
dozens, spanning the country, and even the world. He is well-known for his
quick wit, his caring soul and willingness to help, anyone, anytime – and those dimples!
So, on a seemingly typical Friday morning, his world changed, for the better.
Ours, not so much. Although he leaves a lasting, shining legacy, he leaves a
crowd of grief-stricken loved ones and friends to carry on, including: the love
of his life, Loretta Gross and her daughter Laveda; his father, Jacob; his
brother John G. (Jerry) and Lois Pinder; his sister Melanie and her husband
Darryl Daniel; his niece Claire (Daniel ) and her husband Alex Leamen, and
their children, Max and Millie; his nephew Adam G. Daniel; and nieces,
Madison Grace and Hillary Jane Daniel. “Change is the essential process of
all existence.” Mr. Spock
Donations to honor David’s memory may be sent to the Haskell Foundation in
care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence KS 66044.
Funeral services for David will be 4 pm, Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
A visitation will take place from 6-8 pm, Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
David Bohanon’s Celebration of Life
Time: Sep 9, 2020 04:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
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If you didn’t know Dbo then you missed out on a wonderful, funny and caring soul. I can’t say anything more that hasn’t already been said. He will be missed! May the family find comfort knowing that he was loved dearly by many friends from Haskell. Rest easy Dbo.
Miss you David. RIP
I have known David since high school and college and have always enjoyed his funny sense of humor and sweet personality. I still remember the huge car he drove in high school and the way he decorated it for Halloween. He was an excellent musician, a wonderful friend to so many and just all around great guy. Peace and love to your family.
Such a profound loss. David was one of the most wonderful people anyone could want to meet or befriend. He was a thoughtful, patient man with a big smile, great sets of skills, and never-ending willingness to help others. You will be missed, David.
My sincere condolences to the family and friends
Dave was quite the charitable illusionist because he always laughed at my jokes like they were the most hilarious words he had ever heard and it always made me feel really good. Such a good person. I never heard one word of negativity from David. That just amazes me. I’m going to miss him immensely.
Dave Bohanon was a great friend to the Foster family! He was a huge help whether working closely with Kelley and my kids with the FOSTER FAMILY BAND FESTIVALS, parking cars for the LTMS band FIREWORKS fundraiser, helping move my family to a new home, or assisting the kids with computer issues! He will be missed by all of us. We are thankful for the friendship and will cherish the great memories we shared!
Dave really new how to enjoy life! I never saw that smile leave his face, and there were always more smiles when he was around. I will miss making music with you, my friend. We will smile together again one day. Blessings and peace to those he has left behind.
Melanie, Jacob, Jerry and Family
I was deeply saddened to hear of David’s sudden passing. He was a fantastic friend to many, and a superb Father, Son, Brother and Uncle to his family.
Melanie, David always talked to me about you. He was always so very proud of the person you had become.
He was always so upbeat and happy to talk about his family and his Choctaw Nation Heritage. He grew up to be a great man who did not know a stranger and would give you the shirt off his back.
May GOD bless and comfort each of you over the coming days, weeks and months. May HE replace the sorrow and pain in the heart with many great memories.
GOD Bless
I attended Haskell in the Fall of 1980. I got to know David through his father Jacob who was the choir director and piano instructor. David was always working on something, getting his car ready to be painted or putting l.e.d. lights on his license plate. Just hearing his name would put a smile on your face. I still can’t accept that he is gone. I just spoke with him a week before. Bless you Jerry, Melanie, Jacob and family. Haskell has lost a wonderful man.
I had the privilege to sit next to Dave for many years in the DeSoto Brass Band and Lawrence City Band. Dave was always so kind and positive. There were many times when we would just look over at each other and just smile or laugh during rehearsals and performances. I am going to miss that.
It will not be the same without you Dave.
-iii<O
I knew David through playing bells with him at church. How blessed that I was privileged to have known such a wonderful guy. He will be missed by so many whose lives he touched. I will never forget his smile, his humor, his grace, and his musical talent.
My deepest condolences go out to his family and many, many friends.
Rest in peace, my friend.
It was a shock to learn of David’s sudden, unexpected passing. David was a great friend, colleague, student and group member. He was a valued enthusiastic member of The KU Band family since he arrived at KU as a freshman. We have lost a very special member of our family.
I so wish that I could attend David’s service in person today because his positive presence blessed every gathering. I will always remember him with a huge bell in one hand and a mallet in the other as he moved smoothly from one end of the table to the other; he never missed a note or a beat, and he encouraged the far less talented players (like me) with grace and kindness. He will be sorely missed.
THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND!!!
Bo and I were buddies from our days together at KU. We were both trumpet players and in the last 30 years, spent a lot of time together rehearsing and performing in bands! It seemed like we ALWAYS ended up sitting by each other! Most people assumed we were the untalented trumpets. Not true, we decided that together we would lead the trumpet section from the bottom up!!!
Dave always had the most positive attitude towards life! He brightened the room when he entered, always made you feel better after visiting with you, and was a rock that you could always depend on! He was a great friend! Bother Bo loved his family and friends more than anything. His presence made EVERYTHING BETTER and the world lost an “Angel on Earth!”
Rest In Peace my friend! Our lives are all impacted by your passing. Keep blowing your trumpet in Heaven! ( Bebop and Chase!) In time, we will be able to lead the heavenly trumpet section from the coveted last chairs!!!
Missing you dearly, my friend.
Remember coming to Haskell to work for me/us in the new OCIO? I always wished I could’ve hired you with pay you deserved right from the start.
Remember sitting at Applebee’s with Brent and the TST guys, watching me cry because I thought I could handle mild wings after the stem cell transplant, but I couldn’t?
Remember going up that mountain with me and Brent just outside of Santa Fe, after I was sick, and me going up that trail with both of you huffing and puffing behind?
Remember reminding me of that story, only a couple months ago? I do. It made me feel well and strong again, like just all of these times and pretty much everything you ever did and said.
Thanks, my good friend. You made my life better. You taught this old guy many important truths. Many, many of us will miss your smile. Keep shining a light down in our general direction, my friend.
As I visited the Haskell fire made on behalf of David, I wondered how he viewed Haskell with his new “heavenly eyes”. I realized that David already viewed the world with heavenly eyes during his time on Earth. DeBo treated everyone kindly, calmly, with a sense of peace and a spirit of humor. He nurtured and mentored our youth to grow musically. I send my condolences to everyone who were fortunate enough to work closely with him and those who call him family.
David was the brother I never had. I so loved his look on life and his overwhelming compassion for others. His smile was representative of everything positive and warm. I will so dearly miss him but am so blessed to have been able to call him my friend.
This is a lovely tribute to a wonderful man. I will miss David deeply. Family events were always more fun with him in the mix. His charm, humor, and unfailingly bright smile made him the life of any party. Rest In Peace, dear friend, my brother-in-law-in-law!
I had the pleasure of knowing David at work and at First Pres Church. He expressed how much he loved the congregation, and after the amazing music they do, it’s understandable why, and he was a part of that amazing ministry. He always had funny jokes but I confess I didnt always get them because they went over my head. But his laugh is what made me laugh. I will miss his facial expressions when he didnt quite get what was going on especially with my explanations of my computer malfunctions. David was someone who always answered his phone and always dropped what he was doing to help me. Countless times he stayed late to assist my crisis at the time, but he was someone you could always rely on. Prayers lifted up for the family members who will miss his presence. He will be missed at Haskell by everyone who had the opportunity to get to know his generosity. Journey well, my friend!!!
I had the pleasure of working with Dave back in the 1980s at Pizza Hut and played poker with him a few times after that. I knew him as a good-natured, soft-spoken person with a great sense of humor. Although I haven’t seen him for a few years, I am so sorry to learn that he is gone. May he rest in peace.
Dave is and was a class act, you will be missed, but not forgotten
I had the privilege of working with David in the IT department at Haskell when I was a student there. David had such a warm presence. One couldn’t ask for a more kind and genuine coworker. David will be missed deeply. My thoughts are with his loved ones during this time.
His smile, his laugh, and his humor I will miss. I don’t think I can think about old warbirds and airshows without thinking of him. I remember when I saw Perkins back open after the fire I thought I better call him and then I realized I didn’t need to because I could see him sitting in a booth by the window. Dave, You made life on this world better for us all.
I have enjoyed knowing Dave since 2006, and I have to say he made me laugh every time I interacted with him. Such a fun and smart spirit he has. He made every day (even IT problems) a lighthearted journey. I will miss you very much, Dave! Many tears and many smiles will be shared in your honor. My condolences and positive thoughts are being sent to family and friends.
David/D-Bo, you will be missed. I share very fond memories of you — growing up with Melanie. Your talents and gifts were not unnoticed. Your heart was golden and your wit and humor amusing and kindness, ever felt.
Though I’ve only known Dave for 5 months, it’s like I’ve known him a lifetime. The several times we’ve talked, he was always open, funny, and he loved to laugh. He was a great man and an inspiration to those around him. He is truly missed! My sincere condolences and prayers to his family.
It is with only fond memories that I will remember my friend and colleague. I am comforted that my friend is now with the Lord!
That day still hasn’t set in. I saw the picture of you and Melanie and I just thought to myself, what are they up to now? Then I read and it hit me you were gone. I will ALWAYS remember the times everyone came down to Broken Bow and the fun we had. Rest easy cousin. Give my Aunt a big hug and all our other cousins! Love you David and thank you for many memories!
Cynthia and I are broken-hearted at the loss of our friend and brother, Dave. We will miss his smile and easy-going manner and the love he showed for everyone. We send the Bohanon family our deepest sympathies and prayers for peace and comfort in this time of grief. Our world, too, changed last Friday and we will miss Dave!
Words can’t express how much we will miss David.
Dave was just a wonderful person and will be sorely missed by many people in Lawrence. We loved seeing his smiling face at First Presbyterian Church and in the Lawrence City Band. Our condolences to the family.
Paul and Joy Laird
You will be missed, my friend.
Jim and I remember David Bohannon with respect and admiration. We are sad to learn of his death and we extend our sympathies to his family and friends.
David has always been a wonderful colleague and a highly valued member of our University community. He has served our community with not only extraordinary skills but with kindness, generosity, and good humor. I am saddened by his passing; we will all miss him a great deal.
I have known Dave for many years and considered him to be a true friend. He will be missed.
My condolences to all of his family and friends.