David Adam Candlish's Obituary
David Adam Candlish
10/20/80 - 1/6/26
David was born in Evansville, Indiana on October 20th, 1980 and came to live with the Candlish family when he was three months old. He was officially adopted at the age of 18 months old. His family loves him dearly.
David was an important part of his community and enjoyed doing his office work, playing basketball, coaching football, and taking care of dogs and horses. He was an honorary coach for the Lakeland Christian School varsity football team and the #1 rodeo judge each year at the Hollie-Brewer Adaptive Rodeo. David also worked for Southwood Farms. His work was very important to him and he enjoyed the relationships he developed doing what he loves. Anyone meeting or working with David knows how funny and loving he was, but he always added a pinch of sass…which was the spice we all needed. He never turned down a cheeseburger and was eager to work for a Dr. Pepper! David loved his family and friends and was well-loved in return.
At the age of 45, David entered the hospital on December 2nd and walked into the arms of Jesus and his dad, Reverend Gary Candlish, on January 6th after a long, hard fought battle with complications from Covid. He wanted to live! He still had horse shows to go to, rodeos to judge, and football games to coach! David became a Lifelink donor and he was able to be a super hero for families right here in Florida who were waiting for kidney and liver transplants. It is what he would have wanted…to make someone else’s life better, which he did for so many of us. We pray that his gift will bring joy and hope to the recipients and recipient families impacted by our loss of David, and be a testimony and example of Christ’s love and sacrifice for us.
David’s last month of life was spent as the rest of his life was, ministering to others, telling people what to do, being the entertainment in the room, and bringing joy to those around him…even when he was so sick. We love him so much and are going to miss him forever…at least until we join him “after we get our work done here…we’ll see you in just a few days”, which is what we told him as he peacefully entered heaven. He was a true gift to our family and it was our honor to be his family.
David is survived by his mother Carol Candlish, sisters, Amy Candlish, Erica Allen (Michael), Abby Mills (Steve), Tiffany Berrien, and Chelsea Pondell (Ryan) and brother, Matt Candlish (Kristi). David had nine nieces and nephews: Maya Constant (Josh), Olivia Candlish, Tyler Allen (Lexus), Branden Allen, Gracellyn Allen, Wyatt Mills, Matthew Pondell, Naomi Pondell, and Ezra Pondell. He also had one great nephew, Cayson Allen, and one great niece, Hayslee Allen. David has many cousins, aunts and uncles.
David’s Celebration of Life will be held at Victory Church’s Light of Lights Chapel in Lakeland, Florida on January 17th, 2026. Public viewing will be from 10:00am-12:00pm with the service starting at 12:00pm. The family would like to invite all of David’s friends and family to come celebrate his life, share memories, honor him, and support the family with their participation.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to David’s Go Fund Me page or to donate in his name to the Hollie-Brewer Adaptive Rodeo.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-david-adam-candlishs-legacy
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