David Frederick Merchant

David was born in Providence, RI to Arland R. Merchant and Helen Barbour Merchant of Warwick, RI.  He was the youngest of 3 children, brother, Arland H. Merchant, and sister, Carolyn M. Quick.  During the 1960’s, the entire family relocated to Modesto.  David relocated to Modesto after serving in the U.S. Army, both overseas and at home.  After his Army service, David married and had 3 children, Steven, Melanie, and Holly.  In 1977, David married Penny who also had a son, Chad.  They were married for 43 years.

David worked at Angelo’s Market until retiring at age 50.  Afterwards, he drove Storer Special Ed school buses daily for 5 years until Penny retired from teaching and they moved to Brookings, Oregon. 

Before retiring, David loved to travel around the US and Canada, often taking trips to Warwick for 4th of July where old neighbors were lifetime family.  David loved to talk to people along the way.  He enjoyed camping and fishing at Brightman and Clark Fork and houses and condos on the beaches at Rio Del Mar and Pajaro Dunes.

In Brookings, David spent his days surf-fishing and collecting rocks on the beach for rock bowls to sell at the Farmer’s Market and for family and friends.  He enjoyed driving back roads through lush forests returning to spectacular coastal vistas.

David was preceded in death by his parents, brother Arland, and great-grandson Stevie III.

He leaves his wife Penny, children Steven (Christine), Melanie Dean, Holly (Darin Redwine), and Chad Yates (Jill), sister Carolyn (Ron Quick), sister-in-law Junis Merchant, grandchildren Steve II, Jonathon (Stephanie), Michael (Elizabeth), Andrew, Artyom, Mia, Vincent, Bennett, and Ronan, and great-grandchildren Maddie, Eddie, Sophia, Luke, and Emily Jane.  

David was a good man, a loving man, a best friend, and he leaves this family wanting more time with him.  He wanted no fanfare.  Instead of donations, he would be pleased if you would ‘pay it forward’ in a gesture of kindness to someone in need.

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