1954
David
2009
David Gage
September 23, 1954 — April 23, 2009
David Allen Gage, age 54, of Christmas, Michigan, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2009, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed away at his parent's home where he was lovingly cared for by his family during his final days.
Dave was born on September 23, 1954, in Escanaba, Michigan, to Edgar and Kewpie (Donathan) Gage. He grew up in Munising and graduated from William G. Mather High School in 1972.
He served as a medic in the U.S. Army. After being honorably discharged on June 10, 1977, Dave traveled throughout the United States, Mexico, and Venezuela, and worked as a shrimper in Louisiana with his older brothers, Mike and Gary.
Dave returned to the Upper Peninsula to attend college on the G.I. Bill. He graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1982, with an Associate of Science degree in nursing. He worked as a registered nurse at Marquette General Hospital before he signed on as a traveling nurse. For 17 years, David cared for patients in emergency rooms, trauma units and critical care units all across the country. He completed nursing assignments in more than forty different states.
When the wander lust finally wore off, Dave returned to the Upper Peninsula and worked for the LMAS Health Department and Munising Memorial Hospital until he became too ill to work. He made his home in Christmas and enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends. He loved the outdoors and Lake Superior and was affectionately known as "Captain Dave" for his many boating "incidents."
Dave is survived by his parents, Edgar and Kewpie Gage of St Martins Hill, Munising; brothers Michael (Trish) Gage of Brainerd, MN, Chet Gage of Christmas, Brady (Keely) Gage of Euharlee, GA, John Gage of Christmas, and Chet Alva Gage of Mancelona, MI; sisters Micki (Dale) Sarasin of Gladstone, MI, Teri (Paul) Taylor of Harrison, AR, and Sabrina (Wade) Stanley of Phoenix, AZ; special friends and honorary siblings Sally Gilliam of Charleston, SC, and Andrew Lovins of Christmas, MI. Dave will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Lee Gage in 2004.
The family wishes to thank the following people for the loving care and support provided to Dave during his illness: Julie Diesenroth, Becky Lyons, Karen Delisle, Sally Gilliam, Rod DesJardins, Andrew Lovins, and Ken and Fran Chaltry.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made in Dave's memory to the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research ( www.pancreatic.org ) or the Alger Cancer Support Fund (acsf@live.com).
At Dave's request, no funeral services will be held. A celebration of Dave's life will be held at his parent's home on July 3, 2009.
Dave was born on September 23, 1954, in Escanaba, Michigan, to Edgar and Kewpie (Donathan) Gage. He grew up in Munising and graduated from William G. Mather High School in 1972.
He served as a medic in the U.S. Army. After being honorably discharged on June 10, 1977, Dave traveled throughout the United States, Mexico, and Venezuela, and worked as a shrimper in Louisiana with his older brothers, Mike and Gary.
Dave returned to the Upper Peninsula to attend college on the G.I. Bill. He graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1982, with an Associate of Science degree in nursing. He worked as a registered nurse at Marquette General Hospital before he signed on as a traveling nurse. For 17 years, David cared for patients in emergency rooms, trauma units and critical care units all across the country. He completed nursing assignments in more than forty different states.
When the wander lust finally wore off, Dave returned to the Upper Peninsula and worked for the LMAS Health Department and Munising Memorial Hospital until he became too ill to work. He made his home in Christmas and enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends. He loved the outdoors and Lake Superior and was affectionately known as "Captain Dave" for his many boating "incidents."
Dave is survived by his parents, Edgar and Kewpie Gage of St Martins Hill, Munising; brothers Michael (Trish) Gage of Brainerd, MN, Chet Gage of Christmas, Brady (Keely) Gage of Euharlee, GA, John Gage of Christmas, and Chet Alva Gage of Mancelona, MI; sisters Micki (Dale) Sarasin of Gladstone, MI, Teri (Paul) Taylor of Harrison, AR, and Sabrina (Wade) Stanley of Phoenix, AZ; special friends and honorary siblings Sally Gilliam of Charleston, SC, and Andrew Lovins of Christmas, MI. Dave will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Lee Gage in 2004.
The family wishes to thank the following people for the loving care and support provided to Dave during his illness: Julie Diesenroth, Becky Lyons, Karen Delisle, Sally Gilliam, Rod DesJardins, Andrew Lovins, and Ken and Fran Chaltry.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made in Dave's memory to the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research ( www.pancreatic.org ) or the Alger Cancer Support Fund (acsf@live.com).
At Dave's request, no funeral services will be held. A celebration of Dave's life will be held at his parent's home on July 3, 2009.
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