Obituary of David Lawrence DeChant

David was born at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C.to LTC Wilson Blough and Alberta Josephine DeChant. He grew up in an Army Family moving to San Francisco, St. Petersburg, FL, the Philippines, Augusta, GA, Columbus, OH and Fort Lewis where his father retired and David graduated from Clover Park High School in 1961. The summer following his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and became an automotive mechanic. David served as an Active Duty Soldier from 1961 to 1964, when he transferred his service to the Army Reserve in Washington State. He became a Washington State Patrolman in 1966 and completed his service in 1971. David worked for the Titus-Will families from 1971 until his retirement in 2007. He married the love of his life, Nancy Jean on June 2, 1967. Together they started what was to become their pride and joy, a family. David Lawrence DeChant Jr. (Larry) was born on June 20, 1968, followed by Danielle Lorraine (Milton) December 17, 1971 and finally Ann Elizabeth (Bruennig) July 9, 1977. David had a love for animals. He and his wife shared that love with their children and thus began his lifetime of service to Pierce County 4-H youth activities. He was the Leader of Horse and a Half 4-H club, the Superintendant of the Pierce County 4-H horse Department, on the Executive Leader’s Council and volunteered countless hours for over fifteen years to the Washington State 4-H Horse Department handling all of the 4-H exhibitor’s entries. David and Nancy, along with a few friends, joined to make a Competitive Mounted Orienteering team and would spend weekends riding their horses and tracking down specific locations via compass in a timed competition. In 1986 their team won the National Championship. He and his wife began showing dogs in 1992 and continued until 2007. During those years they showed Borzois and Whippets, competed in lure coursing and open field coursing. He loved his Borzois and his Greyhound “Whoopee” but no dog quite as much as his Pomeranian “Pickles” who was his constant sidekick. David is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nancy, children Larry (Tina) DeChant, Danielle (Craig) Milton and Ann (Peter) Bruennig. Grandchildren Kailee and Cassandra DeChant, Carissa and Lucas Milton and Justin and Jeffrey Bruennig. Brother Joe DeChant, Sister Carol Ginny (Don) Keller, Sister Dotsie (Bill) Conwell, sister-in-law Diana Foster and many nieces and nephews. Our family is very grateful to the Doctors and staff at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, who took such excellent care of him; they were also genuinely compassionate and caring to us. Services will be held Friday February 17th 2:00pm at Lakewood Presbyterian Church, 8601 104th St. SW, Lakewood, WA. Donations may be made in David’s name to any local humane society.