Obituary - Dr. David Lamey

Dr. David Lamey, the always kind and gentle Irishman, passed away suddenly but peacefully February 26, 2023, at his home in La Quinta, CA.

Known affectionately as "Papa" by his grandkids and "Big Dave" at Chinook High School, he was born in Havre, MT on April 13th, 1939, and raised in Chinook, MT. He was a standout athlete in high school, participating in football, basketball, baseball and track. He attended Gonzaga University for pre-dental studies and Creighton University for dental school. He then served three years in the Navy as a dental officer attached to the Marine Corps at Camp LeJeune, NC. He followed this with two years of orthodontic training at the University of Nebraska. Upon completion of his education and service, he moved to Everett, Washington, where he practiced orthodontics for 31 years before retiring in 1999. He loved joking with his patients and getting to know them personally. While he couldn't always remember every patient's name after he retired, he could always remember their treatment with uncanny detail if he ran into them around town.

Dad married Emily Bullinger of Havre, Montana in 1961 and together they raised five children in Everett. Perhaps to Emily's later chagrin, she gave him a set of golf clubs as a graduation gift from dental school and a passion was born. He loved the game of golf and the many close friendships that were created through the game. He was a longtime member of Everett Golf and Country Club, Pinehurst Golf and Resort in North Carolina and more recently, The Plantation Golf Club in Indio, CA. He relished his achievement of four hole-in-ones on the 8th hole at Everett.

Dad was an inspiration to all he knew with his positive attitude and kindness. He loved a good joke and was on the giving and receiving end of many practical jokes over the years. He was an extremely loyal friend and always willing to help others. Even when his memory began to fail him in the past few years, he remained eternally positive and optimistic.

Leave it to an Irishman to marry out of his league twice, in 2011 dad married Stephanie "Stevi" Lister of La Quinta, CA. They shared 12 wonderful years laughing, traveling, and caring for their critters. A devoted family man, Papa is survived by his wife Stevi and her daughter Hillary of La Quinta, CA, his sister Marilyn Bonifer (Jim) of Colorado Springs, his five children, Joan, Dave (Haley), Doug (Tara) of Boise, Dan (Julie) of Vancouver, Kate (Greg) of Woodinville, and his 13 grandchildren. He loved to brag about their achievements to anyone that would listen and was incredibly proud of his family.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. Friday, April 21, 2023, at St. John Mission Catholic Church in Mukilteo, where dad was a longtime parishioner. A reception will immediately follow at Everett Golf and Country Club.

As Ben Hogan famously said, "the most important shot in golf is the next one." Tee it up dad, you have the honor.