David Joseph Browning, 73, of Caldwell passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at a local hospital. "Dave" was born July 29, 1947 in Trinidad, Colorado to Josiah and Edna Menapace Browning. He was the first born of four children. He grew up mainly in Chicago, Illinois, attending Lemont High School and Chicago Vocational High School. He attended Southern Illinois University and studied architecture and then Kirkland Community College in Roscommon, Michigan and studied Mechanical Engineering. His family went camping when he was a teenager. They had a boat and his dad taught him to love boats and boating. One time his dad let him take the boat out, by himself for the first time, and he ended up going across the lake....to visit a girl that he had his eye on! Dave also spent much of his time with his grandma Kay whom he loved dearly. He married Elyse Freeman Ross on May 20, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. Dave was a person who seemed to always be late...When he was coming back to Chicago to get married he had to wait on standby for a flight home. It took him 25 flights! After arriving he still had to get the marriage license...it really to a miracle to make the wedding happen....and he was late for that too! Sparks would fly in the heart for Dave and Elyse...but not quite the same the time when they were kissing and had not realized that they were standing on a red ant hill!!! Dave joined the Army and went to Officer Training School in Georgia. He graduated from Army AIT and served as a combat engineer, ranked Spec4. He also served as a radio operator. He spent time serving in Vietnam (Lai Khe, Vietnam). With his service Dave and Elyse lived in Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Indiana, Utah, Michigan, Idaho, Oregon and California. While Dave was at Officer Training School Elyse used to hand launder his starched uniform, using extra starch, and would deliver them to him on base so she could see him, as she lived off base. Dave and Elyse had six children: Elizabeth, David, Meredith, Jeffrey, Rebecca and Jennifer. They remember trips they made driving across the country in their station wagon; hauling his motorcycle; driving in the orange VW van wagon; and once arriving home to a flooded house! They also enjoyed boating on the weekends with their dad. Besides working as an Army Combat Engineer in the Vietnam War, He worked as a mechanic, a service manager for car dealerships, worked in real estate, was an entrepreneur, and was a team leader for the fire service tech support. He was a hard worker and provided well for his family. Dave married Pamela Pauline Hawkes on January 18, 2003 in Modesto, California. He and Pam traveled around the U.S. as he showed her the places where he had lived, grown up and visited. One time he took her to a Church Historical Site and it brought clarity and peace to Pamela and renewed her beliefs. He loved sharing the places that were meaningful to him with Pam. Dave and Pam lived in California, Oregon and Idaho. Dave was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he served in various calling. He enjoyed working with the youth as a seminary teacher, Sunday School President, a Home teacher. He also served at Elders Quorum President and Ward Clerk. He enjoyed fixing and collecting cars, boats and motorcycles. He collected mini cars and motorcycles. He enjoyed reading, traveling the Unites States, especially Route 66 by car, motorcycle and RV. He loved listening to music and watching (and playing) football. He always told jokes to make people smile and laugh even when he was not feeling well himself. He had a great smile and laugh and a great love for his family, especially his grandchildren. Dave was a hero to his children and grandchildren for many reasons. One time he chased Meredith and Elizabeth into the woods to save them from a swarm of bees. On a camping / boating trip, we woke up one morning found that our boat was sinking! Dave hurried and bailed the water out of the boat and saved the day!!! Dave was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister Barbara. He is survived by his wife Pamela; his children: Elizabeth (Greg) Muensterman, David (Lily Callfas) Browning, Meredith (Michael) Brough, Jeffrey (Anna Stokke) Browning, Rebecca (Nick) Redenbaugh and Jennifer (Brady) Anderson; 56 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 19, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 18486 Middleton Rd in Middleton. A viewing will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, Friday, September 18, at Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N Midland Blvd in Nampa.
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