David Lee Braylark

The journey started for David Lee Braylark on November 12, 1943 in South Bend, Indiana. He was the tenth child of twelve children, born to parents William and Naomi Braylark who preceded him in death. His Family, the Braylark??s, were active members of Liberty Street Church of God In Christ under the leadership of the Late Bishop J.B. Davis.David attended Oliver School for grades 1 ?? 8 and then went on to complete his schooling at Riley High School in South Bend. He was noted by many as a star athlete for his exceptional talents in the game of football. Despite his many athletic talents, David also had a great love for nature. He enjoyed all aspects of the outdoor lifestyle. Fishing and hunting were his passion. David, at age 12, made headlines in the South Bend Tribune - ??Local Boy Caught the biggest fish out of the St. Joe River? . It was almost 6 ft long, weighed in at 98 pounds, and the scales were the size of your fist. Inspired by his father??s work at the Studebaker Plant in South Bend, David shared a love for automobiles. He would spend numerous hours keeping his vehicles super clean and spotless.David got his first job working at a bakery on the Indiana toll road. Everything was made fresh and completely from scratch. He joined the U.S. Army in 1965 and served two tours of duty in Germany & Vietnam and one tour in Okinawa, Japan, Arizona, Alabama, California, New Jersey and was an army recruiter on the south side of Chicago. While on his tour in Alabama, he was introduced to his loving companion. David and Alfredia were united in holy matrimony in Tallahassee, Fla. on Nov. 18, 1972. They began their travels abroad and became a very adventurous couple. He retired from the military in April of 1986 from Ft. Monmouth, N.J. and moved to Lithonia, Georgia. After settling down, David decided to further his education and earned an AA degree in Calligraphy from Atlanta Area Tech and was inducted in the National Honor Technical Society. He used this skill set to express his artistic side through freelance contracting. David also had an extreme love for animals. While stationed in Okinawa, Japan, David was elected the president of the Okinawa American Kennel Club. He raised and trained several award winning German Shepherds, which were considered part of the family. David and his wife were both Gold Level Certified Youth Bowling Instructors. As a coach, David played an instrumental role in the development of the lives of many young men and women. David was loved and well respected by all of his business associates. His character and style were truly one of a kind.On Monday afternoon, April 23, 2012, David came to the end of his journey and he stepped into eternity leaving behind a legacy that will truly be remembered by all. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Willa Fisher, Pearl Herron, Julian Ann Smith, Alta Hackworth, and brothers Edgar Braylark & Samuel Matthews.He leaves to mourn, his beloved wife of 40 years, Alfredia Cooper Braylark, two sons, Roben Holloway (Chicago, IL), David Braylark, Jr. (Smyrna, Ga), a daughter Consuelo Cutler (Tampa, Fl), God son, Roger Simmons(Shirlene Simmons), son-in-law, Jonathan Cutler and seven grandchildren. Three sisters and two brothers: Percy Matthews, Naomi Johnson, Juanita Donnell, William Braylark Jr & Gloria FullerFive sister-In-Laws: Ann Matthews, Mauldine Matthews, Eunice Williams, Martha Cooper, Synella West.Four brother-In-Laws: Arthur Donnell, Charles Cooper, Melvin Fuller, Norman West.His beloved Quik-Trip crew, and his TOP GUN business partners as well as a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Tributes

David Lee Braylark

November 12, 1943 - April 23, 2012