David LeMoine

A TRIBUTE to David Desire LeMoine, an extraordinary guy with no filters who constantly challenged every comfort zone in himself and others, entered the happy place on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.  Born in Akron, OH, known as the “Rubber Capital of the World” on Thursday, November 6, 1941, he grew up with passion to change the world for the better.  He was an advocate for solar and recycling.  He instigated the construction of a solar elementary school in Rifle, CO, and worked with Steve Krest and Dwight Long to bring a recycling center to Farmington, NM.

While teaching social studies and coaching basketball at Rifle Junior High, he authored the book, “Energy,” published by Sadlier-Oxford, 1978, used as science curriculum to remedy the energy crisis.  He graduated in 1959 at Green High School, Greensburg, OH, and is pictured in the “Hi-Lite” yearbook as the Advertising Editor.  He gained his B.S. degree at Kent State University and also a M.E.d.  In 1967 he was awarded a fellowship from the National Science Foundation to attend an Economic Seminar held in Seattle, WA.  He was known as “Frenchy” throughout his school days and enjoyed singing with the Merrymen of Kent.  He also loved singing with various Barbershop Quartets.  His wife of 24 years remembers a few of his favorite songs: “De Brevitate Vitae” (Latin for “On the Shortness of Life”), more commonly known as “Gaudeamus Igitur” (“So Let Us Rejoice”), “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” and “Ave Maria.”  Grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember his silliest songs like “Deed A Bop” and “The MTA Song”—an absurd tale of a man named Charlie trapped on Boston’s subway system.  Forever a romantic, he sang “Love Me Tender” on bended knee for his bride on their wedding day on August 7, 1994, and again in the ancient theatre of Ephesus in Turkey.

He was proud of his teaching career of 35 years, first in CO, and last in NM.  He enjoyed educating students at McCormick Elementary under the direction of principle, Joyce Roberts, beginning in 1990, and he retired from Newcomb Middle School under the leadership of principle, Abena McNeely, in 2004.  Teaching photography at San Juan College, Encore, was a great love after retirement.  Of note is his career with Multi Mineral Corporation as Community Impact Analyst in Grand Junction, CO.

Denver Broncos football, fishing, motorcycle riding, and golf were sports he adored.  He especially enjoyed playing the local courses.  Riverview Golf Course was his favorite, and he invited friends from across the country to stay with him and play golf!  The 19th hole was a choice spot to bemuse about old and new times.  Several motorcycle buddies will remember well the taunt, “Buck, buck, buck,” and the sinking of his motorcycle as he responded to their daring him to cross over to their side of the stream.  Dear memories of lake fishing with his dad on the Indian River which feeds Rice Lake in Ontario, Canada, and fly fishing with his son in the San Juan River Quality Waters below Navajo Dam were a treasure to him.

Always willing to offer wisdom:  He wrote in “A Father’s Legacy” book, “I’ve seen the spectrum of children.  Those who were will adjusted were invariably the result of good parenting.  I thank the Lord each day that my youth was carefully led by loving, honest, caring parents.  Anything I’ve made of life is because of them.”

David Desire LeMoine is preceded in death by his father, Desire Oliver LeMoine, his mother, Una Vandersall LeMoine, and his son, Bryce Heck LeMoine.  He is survived by his wife, Kandy Lynn Christensen LeMoine, sister, Dawn Marie LeMoine Hartley, the mother of his children, Shirley Heck LeMoine, son, Daniel Desire LeMoine, daughter, Sunny Hope LeMoine Matheson (son-in-law Colin), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Special thanks to daughter, Kelly Melinda Jackson Price, for her comforting care of David and delivering thank you cards; and to granddaughter, Shay Lee Haun, who shared her talent for song and love of school with him; and to granddaughter, Amaris Moon Bouchard, who shared her excellent grades and school photos with him over the years; and to the staff of Bee Hive Homes who cared for him from 2015-2018; and to the staff of Cedar Ridge Inn who cared for him during his journey.

Cremation by Farmington Funeral Home has taken place.  A bench with his name on it will be requested to be placed on the driving range at Riverview Golf Course, and a golfing celebration will be planned to be held in the spring on a beautiful Saturday morning after school is out for the summer.  Those wishing to contribute to the bench may contact Kandy LeMoine who coordinates volunteers for the Farmington Museum System, City of Farmington.