David L. Champion Sr., 77, died June 26, 2008, on the family homestead in Wasilla of natural causes.

A private family service will take place on Monday, June 30, in Wasilla. Father Bill Fournier will officiate.

Champion was born March 24, 1931 in Harlingen, Texas. He attended St. Augustine High School in San Diego, Calif., San Diego Jr. College and various trade schools. He served in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Guam, Kwajalein Islands and Adak, working in a construction battalion during the Korean War. He came to Alaska on July 17, 1975, first settling in Anchorage. He was a self-employed plumbing contractor in San Diego and Lake Tahoe, Calif., as well as Alaska, and has been semi-retired since the early part of this year. He was a member of the American Legion Post 28, VFW Post 9365 and was a lifelong Catholic who enjoyed fishing, plumbing, contracting and socializing with friends at the American Legion and the VFW.

Champion, a long-time Alaskan, excelled in football at St. Augustine High School in San Diego and was awarded scholarships with U.C.L.A. and U.S.C., but was drafted into the U.S. Navy. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara, one day prior to shipping out. Upon his return, he completed a Plumbers Apprenticeship program in San Diego and then moved the family to Lake Tahoe, Calif. In 1975, he drove the Al-Can Highway to Anchorage where they resided until they moved to the family homestead in Wasilla.

“Along the way, he shared the love of his plumbing trade with his sons,” his family wrote. “He also shared his passion of politics and the GOP with his daughter. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and good conversation with his many friends at the American Legion Post 28 and V.F.W. Post 9365. He dearly loved his 11 grandchildren and will be forever missed by all who shared his life.”

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara Champion of Wasilla and Sacramento, Calif.; daughter Julie (Scott); sons Joseph, David Jr. (Deborah Zych), and Mark (Deborah); brother Al of San Diego, Calif.; sister Janet of Colorado Springs, Colo.; grandchildren Lauren, Emily, Carol, Kaylee, Krissy, Joey, Jordan, Christian, Lindsay, Robert and Jeffrie; and five great-grandchildren.

 He was predeceased by his parents Ava and Alfred Champion.

Memorial donations may be made to any program that serves the needs of the hungry.

Valley Funeral Homes and Crematory of Wasilla and Palmer assisted the family.