February 19, 1941 – January 25, 2023
Obituary Source
Girdner Funeral Chapel
David Norman Lemos was born to Harold and Irene Lemos on February 19, 1941. He was a lifelong resident of Weed, California, attending Butteville Elementary and Weed High School before working at International Paper Company. Subsequent employers included Medo-Bel Creamery, Pacific Packing Company, Peters Truck Lines and, before retiring, hauling pipe for natural gas pipelines across the United States. Dave married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Fruzza of Weed, in 1961 at the Holy Family Parish. Their close-knit family grew with the births of their three children to whom they were unfailingly devoted.
Dave’s many interests included excelling at every sport imaginable in his youth; he even had pitching tryouts with the Cleveland Indians and the Philadelphia Phillies. He was an avid sportsman who especially enjoyed hunting mule deer with friends and family. In addition to following his children’s and grandchildren’s athletics, Dave was a conversationalist known to strike up a chat with just about anyone anywhere. He was able to retire at 55 which was a blessing given that his vision would fail him all too soon. Traveling across North America and Europe with Nancy was particularly memorable, including trips they took with friends and relatives. Their travels are well documented, as are many hunting trips, with hundreds of Dave’s photographs. In his later years, he preferred taking only a camera out into nature to capture images of the creatures he respected so much.
It has been said that the measure of a man is the effect he had on other people. Dave was a thoughtful and caring person who will be greatly missed by many lifelong friends and extended family members. His reputation as a dedicated family man, a true friend, and a devoted employee will endure well beyond his lifetime. He passed away peacefully on January 25, 2023 with the knowledge that his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren loved him beyond measure just as he had loved them.
Dave is survived by daughter Trudy Pellizzari of Redding, son Jerry Lemos of Yreka, brother Neil Lemos of Edgewood, sister Nancy Monk of Pahrump, Nevada, grandchildren Jordan Pellizzari of San Francisco, Jamie Robertson of Palo Cedro, Robyn Akana and Ashley Lemos of Yreka, and six great grandchildren ranging in age from three months to six years old. He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy in December of 2022, and daughter Julie Renay Lemos in 1972.
A viewing will take place on Thursday, February 2, 2023 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at Girdner Funeral Chapel, 202 S. Oregon Street, Yreka. A private entombment at the Mount Shasta Memorial Park will occur at a later date.
A celebration of life for both Nancy and Dave will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the Weed Sons of Italy Hall, 155 Clay Street, Weed, California starting at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dave Lemos to the Julie Lemos Pediatric Heart Research Fund; California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), 2015 Steiner Street, San Francisco, CA 94115.
