Contact UsAlexandriaChantilly

(703) 378-6896

Chantilly, VA

Alexandria, VA

David Lee Carothers

david carothers

David Lee Carothers was born 19 May 1952 in Santa Cruz, California to the late Frederick Andrew Carothers and the late Frances Claire (Matovich) Carothers Stickle.  He was the eldest of two boys.  His brother was the late Gary Mitchell Carothers.  He was also the half-brothers of the late Kelsy Ann Carothers.  David died after a long illness on 18 Jul 2019 at his home.  He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Immediately after high school, he joined the United States Air Force.  He worked as a computer operator and programmer.  He served in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, during the Vietnam War.  While in the Air Force, he met and married Jo Ann Peresie when they worked in side by side computer rooms at Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C.  They had one son, Christopher Scott, who married Karen Mitchell. 

David was a hard worker and very ambitious.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree while stationed at RAF Alconbury, England.  When he returned to the U.S., he went into Officers Training School in San Antonio, Texas.  He was stationed at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi.  He retired from the Air Force and found a job at SAIC as an information security specialist.  He worked his way up in the company until he was a Vice President.  While working full time, he earned a Masters degree in information security from Eastern Michigan University.
David had two collections that kept him busy.  He developed a passionate interest in meteorites.  He collected the meteorites, made friends, and developed an online class to teach people about meteorites.  His other interest was collecting computer viruses.  He would run them through antivirus programs and send the results to the companies to help them improve their products.  He never asked for pay.  He just did it to help.  When he finished he had over 34 million different viruses.

David was a kind and generous man and always ready to help others.  There are many who are thankful for his training and his free offering of help and advice.  He will be greatly missed.

A visitation will be held at Old Town Funeral Choices on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.

Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be on Monday, October 7, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. Guests are asked to arrive at the Arlington National Cemetery Administration Building at 2:15 p.m. 

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in David's memory to: Shriners Hospitals for Children.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Dad was not the kind of person to wear his heart on his sleeve. He was strict. He expected nothing but the best from me and all around me. We had lots of times where we butted heads. WEALS o had lots of times where we were the best of friends. He introduced me to classic war and western movies as well as the fun of slapstick movies like Airplane. It took a while before I heard “I’m proud of you”, but he made sure I heard it and that I knew he was always proud of me. I will miss our long conversations. I’ll miss our pun wars that always made Mom roll her eyes and shake her head. Most of all, I’ll just miss my Dad. I was fortunate that my last words with my father were “I love you”. And even though he seemed a bit out of it, he said “I love you too, son” back to me. Thank you for my life and for the lessons you taught me. I miss you, Dad.

  2. Dave you will be missed! Your laugh will be missed. Your joy, your thoughtfulness, your very essence will be missed. There was no greater honor than being your friend.

  3. Dave, I will miss having big cups of good coffee with you. As far as father-in-laws go, I lucked out with the best one. I promise to change my passwords every 60 days.

  4. This candle is for a very special man, I was best friends with his half sister Kelsy for years 😢. I love this family❤️

  5. An A Tranquil Light was sent on July 22, 2019

    We are very sorry for your loss. May you find peace in this difficult time.

    -The cast and crew of Dark Operations: Terminus

  6. Davy, I was the luckiest worman in the world when I found you.  For almost 45 years, you were my best friend, my rock, my biggest fan, my greatest support.  I will miss you more than I could ever say.  My life will be poorer without you.  I am glad that the last words we shared was, “I love you!”

  7. David Carothers.  I grew up at Holy Cross with that legendary name.  The only kid in our grade school class who had a slide rule and actually knew how to USE it ! David was a quiet youngster.  No confrontations, no drama, friends with everybody and I think he really liked being one of the smarter students.  In our adult years David was instrumental in getting our class of 1970 together….he moved us from paper lists to email and web sites. When he and Jo Ann would come to town we would gather at the Shoemaker house, prepared for the hours of stories from a great couple who seemed to live lives far more interesting than those of us here in small Santa Cruz.
    David, I am honored that you considered me a friend.  Our loss is Heaven’s gain, and I trust that Saint Peter’s list is now computerized.
    Blessings to your family.

  8. Please accept my sincere condolence for your loss. Jesus taught us to pray for God’s Kingdom to come because He knew it is the only cure for all mankind’s problems even death. (Revelation 21:3-5)

  9. David was a great guy. My dad and mom were the best of friends with Fred and Francis . I have fond memories growing up with the Carothers in Aptos Ca. I was a little younger than them , but David and Gary were like big brothers to me . Ican remember when they moved to New York David gave me his electric guitar . To his family I am Truly sorry for your loss I’m sure he was a great father , husband , uncle and friend .

  10. So sorry for your loss. I grew up across the street from David and Gary on Kenneth St. I also worked with David at Adolph’s. We had a lot of fun together.


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle Cancel reply