David Michael Strain
January 5, 1952 – March 29, 2023
A gentle soul with a fierce light.
A devoted son to his late parents Howard and Becky who NEVER gave up on him and loved him back to health.
A cherished brother to Helen (David), Jimmy (Sarah), and his late brother-in-law Jim who learned resilience, gratitude and compassion from him.
A proud uncle to Jeff (Jen), Zach (Holly), Jamie (Ty), Lindsay (Josh), Mary Ashley (Sam) and Rachel (Matt) who watched him and learned respect for differences, tenderness, and how to laugh at yourself.
A prouder great uncle to Winnie, Howie, Tyler, Calvin, Andrew, Talley, Londyn, Cooper, Maya, Brooks, Emersyn, Zoe and Nora who entertained their dear great uncle, filled him with laughter, turned his hair gray, and made him happy to have his own home when he needed to escape.
A spoiled rotten favorite nephew and cousin to the the Strain and Kavanaugh clans. And yes, his siblings were jealous.
An accidental Catholic who rejoiced when he professed his faith and who carried his blessing from Pope John Paul II within his heart all of his days.
A lover to Beth, his devoted soul mate even though she borrowed $5.00 and never returned it.
A cheerful employee who collected, sorted and delivered inner office mail at a county courthouse, cruising around in his electric wheelchair and nabbing a crook with his iron clad grip when that upstanding citizen tried stealing his wallet.
A loyal and very old friend to his “Sunrise Brothers,” Frank, and the late Larry and Sidney – the Original Fab Four – and to Donald and Jamie.
A grateful recipient of the untiring love, respect, and care of Janice, Josephine,Tyrone, Miss Violet, Sherman, Danielle, Brenda, Erika, Monica, Crystal J, Louise, Juanita, nurse Michele and many other devoted teammates and their families at the ARC throughout the years.
An avid fan of cops, cowboys, and Coke, in that order, and an occasional beer (when mom wasn’t looking).
And most importantly, an example of a well-lived life that proved “experts” don’t know everything, but God does.
His family wants to add that it truly takes a village; we feel blessed to have had one that also includes Hospice of the Chesapeake and many caring family members and friends whose support continues to ease our sorrow.
Visitation
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
10-11 AM
Services
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
11 AM
Interment
private
Contributions
Condolences
Sort Comments
31 Mar 2023
3:13pm
Fly high my friend, you will be missed always.
City
North Beach
State
MD
10 Apr 2023
10:57pm
David, I will miss our good times at the Arc of So. MD and the wonderful times at Sunrise.
I send all my love to your family and you.
City
Prince Frederick
State
MD
31 Mar 2023
5:56pm
So sorry to hear of this huge loss! All my best to Jamie and Helen and the rest of the Seawells.
Sending ease – may his memory be a blessing.
Love, Hilary Viens
City
Colchester
State
VT
1 Apr 2023
2:18pm
So sorry to learn of this, I enjoyed seeing David at our visits with Jamie at Sunrise, he will surely be missed!! Until we meet again!
Leisha & Paula (and families)
City
Friendship
State
MD
1 Apr 2023
2:55pm
I have many fond memories of my days with The Arc. One memory that will always stand out is when a group of us went to a theme park. David wanted to ride a roller coaster. Jim Sanborn picked David up out of his wheelchair and the two of them rode the roller coaster. Seeing David so excited will always be clear in my mind. That was also the moment I knew Jim Sanborn was someone I wanted to get to know better which lead to us dating and marrying years later. I’m so thankful to have so met so many great people through Arc. I am sad that I will not be able to attend David’s services. I would like to express to condolences to David’s family. Michele D. (Nurse Michele, not sure if same Nurse Michele listed in obituary).
City
Hughesville
State
Md
1 Apr 2023
3:11pm
I missed you coming to pick up our mail since you retired. Fly high and free David. I hope you get to go to all the bikini contests you can.
City
Huntingtown
State
Maryland
2 Apr 2023
6:57pm
David delivered the mail to my office for many years. God bless you and rest in God’s peace.
City
Port Republic
State
MD
3 Apr 2023
11:12pm
Our prayers and sympathy to Helen and all of David’s family. May the memory of David’s kind and cheerful spirit bring you comfort.
The Wegner Family
(Larry’s family)
City
St Leonard
State
Maryland
11 Apr 2023
8:43am
David — I’m sorry I hadn’t seen you in a number of years. I have fond memories of when we would be at family reunions together. Theresa recently sent some pictures with the three of us. I’m glad she had them, and will cherish the memories always.
Much love,
Mary (Walsh)
City
Odenton
State
MD
11 Apr 2023
9:34am
May God Bless him and the Family
City
CHESAPEAKE BEACH
State
MD
11 Apr 2023
12:16pm
God bless and keep you all. My dear friend of many years is Bev Ritchey. Her daughter was at ARC in Prince Frederick MD for years. Maybe Christie Richey knew David. I hope so. I suspect they would have really liked each other. Christie Richey was my student when I was a middle school counselor at Southern Middle School in Lusby, MD in 1989.
Sending angels to comfort you.
City
Prince Frederick
State
MD
12 Apr 2023
8:02pm
Rest in peace David. I loved our squirt gun fights, you eating the ears off of a chocolate Easter Bunny, and the millions of ways you showed us love and made us laugh. I look forward to seeing you again in heaven❣️
City
Tucson
State
AZ
Sort Comments
Fly high my friend, you will be missed always.
David, I will miss our good times at the Arc of So. MD and the wonderful times at Sunrise.
I send all my love to your family and you.
So sorry to hear of this huge loss! All my best to Jamie and Helen and the rest of the Seawells.
Sending ease – may his memory be a blessing.
Love, Hilary Viens
So sorry to learn of this, I enjoyed seeing David at our visits with Jamie at Sunrise, he will surely be missed!! Until we meet again!
Leisha & Paula (and families)
I have many fond memories of my days with The Arc. One memory that will always stand out is when a group of us went to a theme park. David wanted to ride a roller coaster. Jim Sanborn picked David up out of his wheelchair and the two of them rode the roller coaster. Seeing David so excited will always be clear in my mind. That was also the moment I knew Jim Sanborn was someone I wanted to get to know better which lead to us dating and marrying years later. I’m so thankful to have so met so many great people through Arc. I am sad that I will not be able to attend David’s services. I would like to express to condolences to David’s family. Michele D. (Nurse Michele, not sure if same Nurse Michele listed in obituary).
I missed you coming to pick up our mail since you retired. Fly high and free David. I hope you get to go to all the bikini contests you can.
David delivered the mail to my office for many years. God bless you and rest in God’s peace.
Our prayers and sympathy to Helen and all of David’s family. May the memory of David’s kind and cheerful spirit bring you comfort.
The Wegner Family
(Larry’s family)
David — I’m sorry I hadn’t seen you in a number of years. I have fond memories of when we would be at family reunions together. Theresa recently sent some pictures with the three of us. I’m glad she had them, and will cherish the memories always.
Much love,
Mary (Walsh)
May God Bless him and the Family
God bless and keep you all. My dear friend of many years is Bev Ritchey. Her daughter was at ARC in Prince Frederick MD for years. Maybe Christie Richey knew David. I hope so. I suspect they would have really liked each other. Christie Richey was my student when I was a middle school counselor at Southern Middle School in Lusby, MD in 1989.
Sending angels to comfort you.
Rest in peace David. I loved our squirt gun fights, you eating the ears off of a chocolate Easter Bunny, and the millions of ways you showed us love and made us laugh. I look forward to seeing you again in heaven❣️