David R. Israel

david israel

March 8, 1950 ~ February 4, 2023

Born in: Asheville, NC
Resided in: Asheville, NC

David R. Israel, 72, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the CarePartners Solace Center.

David was born March 8, 1950, in Asheville to the late Jesse Lee Israel, Jr. and Betty Carter Israel.

A graduate of Enka High School, David received his Horticulture degree from NC State University and co-founded Jesse Israel and Sons Garden Center in 1981. For the past 40 years, he has managed the garden supply division of the business. He was previously an NC Soil & Water Conservation board member.

David is survived by his wife, Diane Cunningham Israel; daughter, Anna Israel Howland (Jake); grandson, William Howland; sister, Janet Strickland (Danny); brother, Lonnie Israel (Gail); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with Pastor Glenda Hayner officiating. Private interment will be at Piney Mountain United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan.org).

Services

Funeral Service: February 7, 2023 2:00 pm

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Visitation: February 7, 2023 1:00 pm - December 9, 2024 2:00 pm

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. How do i find the words ? If one never had the chance to visit Jesse Isreals in the off season one missed getting to tap some of the vast knowledge David had . In doing so my husband David and i became family. David and Harold had a private joke about how much snow was in the bed of our truck regardless of the outside temp . Davids mom was the same way . They were such a blessing not only to us but to WNC . May God in His abundant grace substain you now and always . Love Harold and Lucille Conner

  2. He always had time to say hello whenever I would go by the garden center, even during the busy season. I would surely hear about it on my next visit if I didn’t flag him down and say hello. Always interested in what everyone had going on, he was also a fountain of knowledge for gardening. Uncle David will be missed.

  3. I will aways remember David from high school and from NC State. He was always a friend and I am not surprised that he was so successful in life. May God be with his wife and family at this time.

  4. I work in the Gatehouse at the WNC Farmers Market. I only ran into David a few times but he was very sweet and always stopped to check on me after dark when I was working. I am sorry for the Israel’s loss.

  5. So sorry to hear of this. Learned a lot from David, when I worked under him as Warehouse Manager at Isreals Gdn. Ctr. This man worked non stop and had more knowledge stored in his head than the computers of today have. Diane and family, know you are all in my prayers.

  6. So sorry to learn of David’s passing. What a wealth of horticultural knowledge and expertise he possessed and wilfully shared with his customers. My condolences to the Israel family.

  7. So sorry to hear of David’s passing. He was a friend and always willing to help any way he could. Prayers for his wife and family.

  8. David was one of the friendliest and kindest people I’ve ever met. He always had time for a hello and a joke, no matter how busy he was. He was a walking encyclopedia of gardening. He will be sorely missed. Love and prayers to his family.

  9. My condolences to the family. I will always remember how sweet David treated his Mother. He was a true gentleman.

  10. We both send our love and sympathy to the entire Israel family. David brought a special happiness and love to all of you. We will always remember his sweet smile and wonderful in depth conversations at the Garden Center.
    Hugs , Elise and Larry

  11. David was always so kind and willing to help anyway he could. No matter how busy he was, he had time to help me with any questions I might have. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

  12. Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
    Kevin and Cindy McCurry

  13. We enjoyed knowing David. We will miss his humor and the perpetual “twinkle” in his eye.
    Dianne, Anna and all of the Israel clan, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of
    bereavement.

  14. So sorry to hear of David’s passing. He was a true friend and will be greatly missed. May God bless and comfort his family in this great loss. Cuman and Inez Dockery

  15. David was a great friend and he always made you feel welcome. He was warm hearted and i will miss him tremendously. My sincere sympathy to the family.

  16. Remembering David from my customer visits to to Jesse Israel & Sons Garden Shop. He was always so helpful and knowledgeable about his chosen profession and always provided excellent advice. I truly appreciated his good nature and friendliness as he was the epitome of excellent customer service. One felt like a family member when David was there to greet you and offer assistance. My condolences to his family and friends.

  17. So sorry for your loss. David will be missed as we also miss his Dad and Mom. We all grew up together. David always was a wealth of information. It was only yesterday we were all working together, laughing and cutting up. Having fun….time really flies. Thoughts and prayers with the family.


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