David F. Huinker, 69

Published 8:19 am Wednesday, September 27, 2017

David F. Huinker, 69, a member of Seymour Heights Christian Church, passed on to be with the Lord on Wednesday Sept. 20, 2017, while surrounded by loved ones at his home in Sevierville, Tennessee.

David F. Huinker, 69

David, son of Adolph and Carolyn (Keehn) Huinker, was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, on Dec. 18, 1947. He graduated from Richland Center High School, Class of 1966. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathy, on Oct. 14, 1967, and joined the U.S. Navy shortly thereafter.

In 1988 David retired from the U.S. Navy after working his way up the ranks to senior chief petty officer. During his Navy career he and his immediate family were stationed in various locales including, Norfolk, Virginia, Pensacola, Florida, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and San Francisco, California. His 22 years of service to our country included time at sea during the Vietnam War.

After retiring from the Navy, he was involved in government contract work while employed at Harris Corporation at various locations including Norfolk, San Diego and San Jose, California. He returned to San Diego and worked for several years as a technical writer and instructor for Qualcomm/Kyocera.

David loved his family first and foremost. He also loved his animals and leaves behind his three beloved dogs, Benjamin, Bitty and Olive. He enjoyed many hobbies, but one of his favorites was tinkering on his muscle cars.

David is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughter, Michelle (John) Norton of Asheville, North Carolina; sisters, Marcia (Dan) Dobbs of Muscoda, Wisconsin, Dawn (Dennis) Dobbs of Boaz, Wisconson, and Barb (John) Heerema of Owatonna, Minnesota; stepmother, Ethel Huinker of Austin, Minnesota; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and his many friends.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph Huinker and Carolyn Keehn; sister, Cheryl; and brother, Marc.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the professionals at UT Hospital and Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, for providing great care of David during his short battle with brain cancer.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Atchley Funeral Home, 122 Peacock Court, Seymour, TN 37865 (865) 577-2807. Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome