David Wells Obituary

David H. Wells

David Harrison Wells,\ Sr., 101 of Findlay, passed away at 9:30 a.m. Friday, December 5, 2025, at Sunrise Assisted Living of Findlay. He was born October 19, 1924, in Winchester, Massachusetts, to the late William H. and Nellie B. (Wanamaker) Wells.

David married the love of his life, Jean Margaret Moore, June 21, 1952, in Wakefield, Massachusetts. They shared 56 wonderful years together before she preceded him in death February 12, 2008.

He is survived by sons, David H. Wells Jr (Judith Dwarkin) of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and James W. (Carol) Wells of Findlay; daughters, Alison L. (Kevin) Moyer of Perrysburg and Susan J. (Jeff) Van Pelt of Lewis Center; grandchildren, Kyle (Renee) Moyer of Gaston, Oregon, Joshua (Heather) Moyer of St. Louis, Missouri, Leslie (James) Addington of Upper Arlington, Amanda (Matthew) Wigton of Winston Salem, North Carolina, Meredith (Taylor) Candella of Lewis Center, Rebecca (Kyle) Smith of Columbus, Alexander Van Pelt of Perrysburg, and Andrew Van Pelt of Lewis Center; great-grandchildren, Corinne, Calvin, and Chloe Moyer, Mila, Hana and Graham Moyer, Hudson and Lucy Addington, Clara and Lydia Wigton, Daxton, Chase and Wells Candella; his siblings, Stephen (Marjorie) Wells of Wakefield, Massachusetts and Richard (Jytte-deceased) Wells of Wakefield, Massachusetts. David is also survived by his dear friend and companion, Nancy Bowman of Findlay.

David was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Robert Davis and a grandson, Zachary James Wells.

David was a 1943 graduate of Wakefield High School. Following graduation, he proudly began his service to our country in the United States Army from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1946. David served in the 408th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company located in Corozal, Panama Canal.

After the service, during the summers, while attending college in 1946 and 1947, David enjoyed working for Joe Dodge in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. David helped with the development and maintenance of the hut system (Pinkham Notch). David attended Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts, for two years. He graduated from Tufts University in 1952 with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. Upon graduation, David began a 37-year career with RCA. He worked at RCA plants in New Jersey and Maine, but the vast majority of his career was spent at the plant in Findlay beginning in 1959.

David served several short-term, overseas assignments in Catania, Sicily, Taipei, Taiwan and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He quickly became part of the Taiwan team by participating in a team-building ritual called "ganbei". While at RCA, David earned the RCA Semiconductor and Materials Division's first annual Engineering Achievement Award. He retired from RCA in January 1989.

Though he had many hobbies and activities, his true passion and love was for his family. David and Jean went to countless activities and were enthusiastic supporters of their family. He enjoyed summer visits with the family back home to Wakefield, Massachusetts and then on to the beach at Ocean Park, Maine. David loved family time on the beach and long ocean swims. David completed several full marathons, including his first, the Banc One Marathon in November 1980, which he finished in 4 hours and 5 minutes.

After retirement, David pursued his private pilot's license. He began this quest by taking senior adult education courses at BGSU and then working with Dottie Anderson at Bluffton Airport. He earned his private pilot's license in November 1991. David also continued singing as an active member of The University of Findlay Concert Chorale & The Findlay Area Community Chorus, under the direction of Michael F. Anders, PhD, Conductor, which performed Handel's Messiah, the Mozart Requiem and the Faure Requiem. For several years, David volunteered as a reading mentor at Jacob's primary school. He enjoyed time with the children and they enjoyed him as well.

David was a very active member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, singing in the choir and serving on numerous committees (Finance, Every Member Canvas and Pastor Parish Relations).

He also was active in the local YMCA. David was the past President of Findlay Y's Men Club, helping for many years with the Christmas Tree Drive, which supported the Y's Men's Treasury and funds for the YMCA's youth programs. David was co-chair of the general gifts division for the YMCA building expansion campaign in 1970. He was an avid swimmer at the YMCA, swimming over 1,109 miles up through 2021.

David and his family greatly appreciated the outstanding care he received at Sunrise Assisted Living and Bridge Home Health and Hospice. The compassion and zeal with which the staff cared for David were unmatched.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 2-3 p.m. Monday, December 8, 2025, at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 120 West Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840. Funeral services will follow beginning at 3 p.m. at the church. Committal service will follow at Knollcrest Cemetery with military rites performed by Hancock County Veteran's Squad.

Memorials may be made, in David's name, to St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 120 West Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840, Bridge Home Health and Hospice, 15100 Birchaven Lane, Findlay, and Findlay YMCA, 300 East Lincoln Street, Findlay.

Online condolences may be shared with family at www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.