Birth date: May 28, 1922 Death date: Feb 17, 2021
David Wesley Motes, 98 of Lakeland passed away on February 17, 2021. David was born in Belle Glade, FL on May 28, 1922 and served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the Philippines. David was the Executive Director of the Housing Aut Read Obituary
Daddy, it is now a new year, 2023, and time hasn’t made me miss you any less. I am comforted only by knowing you and Mama are side by side again now. I will love you forever, Daddy.
Daddy, it’s Christmas and mama has gone to be with the Lord this month. I’m missing you both so much. I love you and will always love and miss you. I don’t know how I am making it without you but I’ve got that determined strength that came from you and mama. There are just too many tears still flowing for you snd mama.
What a wonderful Father in Law, He would do anything for us. Always willing and never asked anything in return, so we just did anything to help out. We enjoyed their company Especially during the holidays. Sharon And I would set the table.
Lucky I got to marry his daughter Sharon. They will be surely missed.
I am so fortunate to have David as my Grandad. He and my grandmother remain part of my internal compass. Their presence helped guide me into adulthood, fatherhood, and toward being a better human.
I remember how he always treated me with pride, respect, and love. As a child, he took me for walks on the railroad tracks behind his house in Belle Glade. He would help me "collect" railroad nails. He would cut sugarcane for me to chew. In Lake Placid, I caught my first bass with him. I reeled in my first alligator. In the mountains of Montreat, he hiked with me and allowed me to explore the slopes leading down to nearby ravines. We had long nights playing Rummykub (during which Grandmother would always get impatient and how long we took on our turns!). Once, I hit a home run and sent a baseball straight towards the glass window of the cabin. He reached out like a superhero, caught it just before impact, then continued enjoying the hummingbirds, like it never happened. I thought he must have been the strongest person in the world.
Grandad always wore a smile - a genuine smile. Because he loved to enjoy life and he wanted everyone around him to feel good and succeed at what they did. I'll remember how proud he was and that he didn't want any sort of help, even to his own detriment. He was dedicated to his wife, his family, and to his country. He was the kind of man that everyone wanted to have on their team, because he would get a job done.
I had the honor of being with him during some of his last waking hours. When his journey was coming to a close, he kept repeating the same two things: "I wish I could've done more." And, "I believe in God. I sure do." I can't think of a better way to describe who he wanted to be as a person.
I hope to see you again one day. I miss you.
- Your grandson
Mr. Motes and my Daddy, Richard Murray were the best of friends. They both served the Lord in the Everglades Presbyterian Church in Belle Glade, for almost 50 years. I grew up with his two sweet girls. We were friends all through school. Rest in peace, Mr. Motes. I know you and Daddy are having a good time❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Uncle David I will always remember you as a great man who loved the Lord & his family . The world will be less without you . Always respected you and your opinions . Rest in peace .
