David William Hemley

Dave peacefully passed away on May 22, 2021, comforted by his only daughter, Laurel Munguia after complications arising from a fall and eventually succumbing to COVID while in care.

Born April 19, 1956, in Tacoma, David was the eldest of the first set of all male triplets to be born at Tacoma General Hospital.  They were the middle children of five siblings born to Ron and Vida Hemley.  A graduate of Peninsula High School in 1975, Dave entered the Army, where he proudly served his country.  Dave was a lifelong resident of Gig Harbor, WA.  

Dave returned home to work for the Puget Sound Shipyard for the better part of twenty years.  After retiring from the shipyard, he obtained his CDL and became a long haul truckdriver for several years finally settling on driving school bus for the Peninsula School District.

He is survived by his daughter, Laurel Munguia of Puyallup, WA; his twin brothers Dan and Don Hemley of Gig Harbor, WA, his sister Ronna Harvey of Tacoma, WA, and his brother Daryl Hemley of Gig Harbor, WA, his pride and joy, his two granddaughters Madeline and Maicee Munguia, along with many nieces and nephews.

Seventeen years ago, Dave suffered a life changing accident that left him severely disabled.  Instead of focusing on all that he lost, he enjoyed and reveled in everything that he gained in his life.  Surrounded by his family and special people in his life, he lived a very fulfilling and wonderful life to the best of his ability even in the face of adversity.

Prior to his accident, Dave was the life of all parties.  He enjoyed great friends, snowmobiling, traveling, and was an avid biker with the love for everything Harley Davidson.  Dave will be dearly missed but we can rest easy knowing that he is no longer suffering and lived life by his terms.  He was a fighter to the very end.

Services will be held at Haven of Rest Cemetery in Gig Harbor, WA on Friday, July 16, 2021, at 2:00 PM.  A reception in his memory will follow at 4:00PM at The Eagles Club in Gig Harbor located at 4425 Burnham Driver NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335.  Dave loved to party so please join us for his last hurrah.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made on his behalf to the Wounded Warrior Project to help support Military Veterans and their families.

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