David Horak

David Ashley Horak was called home to the Lord on May 16, 2015.  Born on July 8, 1948, in Wausau, WI, David was the oldest child of the late Elroy Ashley and Helen Selma Rose Johanna Huth Horak.  He loved life and was interested in everything to the extent of reading through the World Book Encyclopedia during grade school. In 1962 he left home for Concordia Academy in Minneapolis, MN, as the first step toward the Lutheran Ministry.  While there he developed his lifelong passion for sports, playing football and managing the football, basketball and baseball teams.  In 1970 he graduated from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN, with dual majors in Geography and History.  At Valpo, he met his wife of 44 years, Ruth Anne Herron and again he managed the football team.

With lucky number 13 in the first draft lottery, David joined the Navy in 1971 and became an Air Intelligence Officer stationed on the USS Blue Ridge, home ported in San Diego.  David was aboard the Blue Ridge, Command Ship for the US 7th Fleet, during the evacuation of Saigon in 1975.  He returned home just in time for the birth of his first son, Stephen Ashley, on June 9. His second son, Craig Alexander, was born on August 12, 1978, and David’s life soon revolved around the two boys.

On his discharge from the Navy, David spent a short time in L.A. and in Bellingham, WA, working for Mobil Oil Corporation. He then moved to Gaithersburg in October 1976 to begin a career in computers for the federal government.  Over the years he worked at Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Information Agency, and eventually retired from the State Department as a Security Systems manager.

On moving to Maryland, David became a Charter Member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Germantown and was active there until his illness.  Starting first as Youth Group Leader, he has also served as teen Sunday School teacher, Treasurer, Usher, Greeter and Counter and Head Elder. In January 2012, he volunteered for a Medical Mission Trip to Madagascar through Lutheran World Relief.

Dave started his coaching career with Steve’s first-grade team in the Gaithersburg Recreation League and soon was coaching or managing each of the boys’ teams in soccer, hockey and lacrosse.  He holds a class D coaching license in soccer.  With the boys he also joined Y-Indian Guides and became a leader in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. For them he served the Washington Grove Elementary School PTA as Treasurer and President.

His love of history eventually led him to re-enacting.  He started with the Revolutionary War as a member of the 1st VA Regiment of the Continental Line, the French and Indian War in a band of Rogers Rangers and to participate for the Union in the 125th re-enactment of the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg.  Later he attended George Washington University with an eye toward a second career as a history teacher.

Dave has also volunteered with the Montgomery County Park Police, the Humane Society and the Gaithersburg-Laytonsville Fire Department Station 8 EMT.  He managed the men’s soccer team at Frederick Community College where an award for Most Improved Player was named in his honor.  Dave was also active as an AUXOP member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.  He served as Flotilla Commander for Flotilla 24-8 until his illness.  He was named 2011 Auxiliarist of the Year for the Flotilla.

David is survived by his wife, Ruth, their sons and families, Stephen, Jennifer, Grace and Benjamin Horak of Virginia and Craig, Jessica, Nicole, Andrew and Brynn Horak of Texas as well as his sister and her husband, Kathleen and John Waller, sisters and brother-in-law Cheryl Herron and Janet & Lou DeMonaco and Godsons and nephews Corey and Jared Waller, Matt and

Rayshood Herron, Philip DeMonaco and David Barrett.

A visitation is being held on Monday, May 18, from 6-8 p.m. at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702. A funeral service is planned for Tuesday, May 19, at 10 a.m., at Messiah Lutheran Church, 13901 Clopper Rd., Germantown, MD 20874.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in David’s memory to

Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue

www.magsr.org/forms/donation.htm

MAGSR, PO Box 353, Mt. Airy, MD 21771

Frederick Community College Foundation for the Men’s Soccer Team

or

Messiah Lutheran Church, 13901 Clopper Road, Germantown, MD  20874