David Riley Messer

January 18, 1939 ~ June 4, 2013
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
David Riley Messer, 74, of Asheville, died Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at the John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center.
A native of Buncombe Co., he was a son of the late Hugh A. Messer, Sr. and Mildred Lunceford Messer. He was also preceded in death by a son, Christopher Messer, and brother Hugh A. Messer.
Mr. Messer was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a graduate of Western Carolina University, and retired from BASF/American Enka. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Asheville, for over 35 years.
Mr. Messer is survived by his wife, Shirley H. Messer; son Mark Messer and his wife Susan; daughter Whitney Burns and her husband Sam; and grandchildren Katie, Georgia, and Chris Messer, and Henry and Emilyn Burns.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at First Baptist Church of Asheville, with Dr. Guy Sayles, Rev. David Blackmon, and Rev. Eddie Morgan officating. Interment with Military Honors by the National Guard will follow at Shepherd Memorial Park in Hendersonville.
His family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave.
The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff of the ICU at Memorial Mission Hospital and to the staff of CarePartners Hospice for their care of Mr. Messer and the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Homeless Ministry, 5 Oak St., Asheville, NC 28801.
Our community has lost a good man. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry Shirley and family for your loss. p.s. David , have a wonderful trip and you will on occasion get some news from me via your wonderful wife .
,
Don remembers David as a high school student whom he taught and we both remember him very fondly as a fellow church member and a very special personal friend. We will miss him and his keen sense of humor and his dedication to First Baptist Church and we will miss the many good times we shared with him over the years.
While we never met, I know you will be sorely missed by your loving family. Your son Mark, who I do know, is a direct result of your tireless efforts and witnessing his character, I can say job well done. Enter into rest until you guys are reunited again.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
Keith Billings
Shirley and family. I am so sorry to hear of David’s passing. I am so glad to have seen him last year at our class picnic. With him gone, who will I be able to fuss with. I have fond memories of him from school and after. I will be unable to come to the visitation or the funeral as I will working those hours, but I am here if you need me for I am a good listener and I have been in your shoes. My deepest smpathy to you and your family.
Our family, Ernest and Susie Abbott, lived next door to the Lesser’s while we were growing up thru high school. Please accept my sincere condolences. I have fond memories growing up with David and Hugh
David and I were classmates and reconnected a few years ago via email. I know that you are struggling with your loss. We have all lost a good man. My prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends. Heaven has gained a fine addition to its host of angels.
Dear Shirley and family,
Linda and I are so sorry for your loss. Dave was a great family man and we know he loved all of you so very much.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to attend Dave’s funeral, but our thoughts and prayers will be with you in this difficult time.
Charles and Linda Sherrer
Mark and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Messer’s death. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Marcia Allen
David and I were classmates and friends. I know he will missed by all.
I attended Asheville schools with David from 3rd grade through high school….also 20 years at First Baptist Church. A great guy who stayed in close touch with Asheville High classmates. He will be missed.
Throughout school and at church, David was a nice friend. When I learned to email, he was there to visit. Shirley, I send my love and condolences to you and your family.
Thinking of you and your family. May God grant you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Nola Naff Turner
Class of 56
You know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. The Lord promises to never leave us nor forsake us and in these times we have to hold onto that. We are praying you will feel his loving presence during this difficult time. Please don’t worry about your mom because we will take care of her. Love to all of you.
Shirley…so sorry to hear of your lost. My prayers are with you.
Betty T.
Shirley and Family, Although it has been awhile David and I shared E-Mails for a number of years. Am so sorry to hear of your loss and know he will be missed. He was a fellow class mate and helped me keep in touch with the goings on of the class of 57 over the years. Blessings to each of you.
Dear Family, I have very fond memories of David in high school. We had some great times together. I know you are having great sorrow at this time. You are in my thoughts and prayers
So sorry about David. May the good board be with all of David’s family during this time of grief.
We know it hurts; however, I’ll remember David in our Bible study and the great faith he has
Sorry to hear of your loss!!!
So sorry about your loss. You are in my thoughts!
David took special delight in the time he spent with his family and friends, and he was quick to recount memories of their time together. We know that David’s heavenly mansion is one filled with laughter and the joy only a lifetime of Christian service can bring. What an honor to be able to say David was our friend. May God bless Shirley and their family.
Dear Shirley & Family,
It is so sad to hear about David. I knew David in high school he was always nice and friendly. My prayer’s will be with you & your family.
Dear Shirley & Family,
It is so sad to hear about David. I knew David in high school he was always nice and friendly. My prayer’s will be with you & your family.
Dear Shirley & Family,
It is so sad to hear about David. I knew David in high school he was always nice and friendly. My prayer’s will be with you & your family.
To the Messer family
My sincere condolences to you all. I have many fond memories of David from our high school days and altho’ we lost touch for many years when I was living in TX, we reconnected at a class of ’57 luncheon a few years ago. He remembered me and was so nice and friendly (as always). My prayers are with you all.
I fondly remember classes David and I shared at Lee Edwards High School. It was my good fortune to to get reaquainted with him in 2002 when our Class of 1957 started corresponding via e-mail. I know from his messages that he loved his family, Asheville, and First Baptist Church. I know, too, that his faith in God and his fellowman was strong. He was a caring person in school and remained so through the years. May David rest in peace and the family rejoice, albeit in your current sorrow, in knowing that he lives on in heaven and in the hearts and minds of people whose lives he touched.
I worked with David at BASF and also was going to the SPA at Westgate after we had retired. He is such a good man and will be missed by all who knew him.
Please accept my deepest sympathy and prayers. Love in Christ.