David Cumbee
May 1, 1963 ~ March 3, 2019
Resided in:
Asheville, North Carolina
David Cumbee passed away on March 3, 2019 in the loving company of his family after a 2-year battle with pancreatic cancer; it is safe to say the world is more than a wee bit darker as a result.
Born May 1, 1963, in Richmond, Va., David was the third of four children born to Janet Stallings Cumbee and Dwight Cumbee. When David was four, the family moved to Maine where he discovered his lifelong passion for fishing at the family camp. David attended high school in Wake Forest, NC and headed to Appalachian State University for college where he met his wife, Vickie. David was a counterculture soul who loved family, the outdoors and music — especially the Grateful Dead. Ever in search of the citation trout or a perfect mountain view, he loved the serenity of the beach equally as much as the majesty of the mountains where he and Vickie moved just a few years before his death. Known to some as “Flash”, he was never in a hurry. The only thing he did quickly - too quickly - was leave this world. David was soft-spoken, kind and funny. He moved gently and lived simply on this earth.
David will be dearly missed by his wife Vickie; sister-in-law Chris; mother Janet Cumbee; sisters Denise Long, Sharon Hathaway, Andrea Maron and their husbands, Bruce, Bill and John. David also had a profound influence on nine nieces and nephews who loved his free spirit and wry humor. A special thanks to Dr. Parmer’s CarePartners Hospice team without whose help this painful and poignant journey would have been impossible.
A service celebrating David’s life will be held at Umstead Park United Church of Christ, Raleigh, NC at 2pm on April 13th. The presiding minister will be Rev. Doug Long, David’s friend and former brother-in-law. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
Sometimes we live no particular way but our own. - The Grateful Dead
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David was an amazing man with a deep love of nature. I was mystified once while we were searching for their new home when he blurted ‘out pull over there will be morels under that apple tree.’? I pulled over and out he went returning with an arm full of mushrooms for dinner. His love of life and nature reminds me how interdependent all living things are. I learn that day how much I did not know about the land around me. I had a deep appreciation for David’s knowledge and concern for the land and it’s inhabitants.
What a beautiful and poignant tribute. Sad for the family – peace to all.
Dave will be long remembered with joy.
Dave was such a kind person and always had an infectious smile on his face along with a twinkle in his eyes whenever I saw him. So many broken hearts all around for those lucky enough to know him. Love to you Vickie and all of Dave’s loved ones.
These words are beautifully written and a perfect description of him. Dave was always kind to me and I am thankful to have known him. Peace and love to his family.
May the four winds blow you safely home.
I met David at Henderson County Health Department where we were co-workers. I had recently retired but worked part-time. He and I shared a passion for salt water fishing and the coast of North Carolina. We spent time talking “fish” and he was delighted to hear songs from “King Mackerel & the Blues Are Running”.
He was a dear friend and a special person.
David was such a genuine and honest man. He was also so smart and caring. I used to work with him and got to spend a little time running with him on the trails. I will always remember him and I am so sorry that the world lost him and his smile. I hope that you got the photo of him that I had taken in June 2017 shortly after his diagnosis.