Honoring the Life and Service of U.S. Army Veteran David Edwin Lovejoy, age 79, proudly served his country as Sergeant Specialist in South Korea during the Vietnam War, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2025, at Westlake Care Center in Lakewood, Colorado. Funeral services will take place at 10:00 AM, Friday, October 10, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church in Flandreau, SD. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the funeral.

David was born on December 28, 1945, in Pipestone, Minnesota, to Rudolph Raymond Lovejoy and Gloria Cavender Lovejoy of Flandreau, South Dakota. He grew up on the family farm alongside his two older brothers, Michael and John, and younger brother Fred, until 1957, when the Lovejoy family moved to Brigham City, Utah. A proud graduate of Box Elder High School, Class of 1964, David excelled on the football field as a running back for the Box Elder Bees, earning a scholarship to play at Snow Junior College in Ephraim, Utah.

In 1966, David answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the United States Army. He was stationed in South Korea during the Vietnam War, where he served honorably as a Sergeant Specialist. His time in the service instilled in him a lifelong sense of duty, resilience, and loyalty to both family and community.

Following his military service, David built a 25-year career as a lineman with Mountain Bell, working in Nevada and later in Denver, Colorado. He married Nellie Charlie in 1988 and they shared many years of family life together.

David was a man of strong faith and a longtime member of the Calvary Indian Church in Denver. He enjoyed attending powwows, where he celebrated his heritage and community, and he was an avid fan of the Denver Broncos.

David is survived by his ex-wife, Nellie Lovejoy; his stepdaughters, Deborah, Sharon, Karen, and Marilyn McCabe, and Yvette Eagle (daughter of his former partner, Denise Miles); Stepson, Henry McCabe, Jr; his brother, R. John Lovejoy; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a stepdaughter, Heather McCabe; and his brothers, Michael and Fred Lovejoy.

In 2019, David faced a life-changing injury but met it with strength and resilience during his years of recovery. He will be remembered as a devoted veteran, a man of faith, and someone who carried grit, humor, and love for family throughout his life.