Obituary of David Morley Denholm

In Loving Memory

David Denholm

July 23, 1949 ~ January 31, 2025

David was born July 23, 1949 in Vancouver BC, the second of three children for his parents Gordon and Marguerite. He held many fond memories of his childhood growing up on the West Coast: family trips for camping, skiing, and fishing, water-skiing on the ocean, and the smell of wet cedars mixing with salty ocean air.

As a young man David found his path to theology and graduated with a Master of Divinity from the Vancouver School of Theology (UBC) in 1979 and was ordained into the United Church of Canada. His life in ministry took him first to Warburg AB where he met his wife Patricia; the couple went on to serve in Yukon Territory, Edam SK, Bashaw/Mirror AB, finally settling in Stettler AB in 1987. David’s work in ministry was deeply meaningful to him and he devoted himself to his community, working tirelessly to support his congregation and make every person feel welcomed.

In 2010 David left ministry and turned to carpentry as a handy-man, serving his community in a new way. As he settled into retirement, his love of woodworking became a creative outlet as he explored the art of wood-turning. David found great joy in making these bowls and in sharing his work.

Anyone who knew him surely knew that David was born a fly-fisherman. Throughout his life, his love of the outdoors led him through forests, up mountains, and across the prairies always in search of the perfect fishing hole. Despite cancer taking its toll, he persisted in his fly-fishing efforts throughout his illness and caught his last rainbow trout, a big one, in October. This love of nature and fly-fishing lives on in his children.

David was a caring and welcoming person, with a generous spirit and an open heart. He loved his family deeply and is profoundly missed by his wife Patricia, son Murray (Lori), a grand-daughter, daughter Lisa, sisters and brothers in-law, as well as many extended family members and friends.

The family extends gratitude for the exceptional care David received from: Dr. Lockhat; Dr. Vogel; the Stettler Homecare team; the nurses, doctors, and EMS teams at Stettler Hospital; and the Red Deer Cancer Centre.

Donations made in David’s honour are encouraged for: Stettler United Church; the Red Deer Cancer Centre (Prostate Cancer Research); or a charity of choice.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday March 4th, 2025 at 1:30pm, at Stettler United Church.