David John Miranda

David John Miranda, 54, died peacefully surrounded by family and friends on April 15, 2010, at Alaska Regional Medical Center after a 3 1/2 year courageous battle with kidney cancer.

Services will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer on Tuesday at 6 p.m., with Pastor Jonathon Rockey officiating.

David was born March 22, 1956, in Fall River, Mass. He moved to Alaska with his family in 1968 and graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1975. He married his high school sweetheart, Lynn, in 1978.

Dave completed the operators apprenticeship program in Yakima, Wash. He worked with his brothers through the laborers union at Alaska Brick. Next he operated the batch plant at Alagco on C Street in Anchorage. He continued as an operator in Palmer and then worked through Local 71 for the state of Alaska in 1989. He loved his years at the state keeping our highways safe. He took his medical retirement in 2008.

Dave’s family wrote, “His main concern was making sure his family was provided for. He loved spending time with his family camping and fishing on the Kenai every summer. He was very proud of his three girls and was very thankful for each and every day he had with them. He never took one day for granted. He also enjoyed snowmachining with his brothers in Petersville and many friends in Eureka. One of his greatest loves was driving his VW Bug and waving at family and friends before they noticed him. Dave and the love of his life had a trip of a lifetime last summer driving his Bug down the Alcan.

“He wanted us to thank everyone for the calls and visits over the last three and a half years. You all helped Dave keep his positive attitude right until the very end. Dave and his family would like to thank all of his doctors who he believed gave him the best care: Dr. Tomera, Dr. Peters, Dr. Rabinowitz, Dr. Bhatia (Seattle Cancer Alliance), Dr. Hickman (for his port), and Dr. Chung. Thank you to all the special staff at Alaska Regional, Seattle Cancer Alliance and the Pete Gross House, which always made him feel comfortable.”

Dave is survived by his bride of 32 years, Lynn; his three daughters, Michelle (Cody) Peterson, April and Ashley Miranda; parents, David and Elsie Miranda; brothers Paul (Diana) Miranda, Steve (Karen) Miranda and sister, Carol Snyder; mother-in-law, Jeanette Thario; brothers-in-law, Leonard (Becky) Thario, Les (Sue) Thario; sister-in-law, Louise (Bill) Zeddies; nieces and nephews, Marcie, Monica, Paul, Jessie, Miranda, Toni, Keith, Damien, Brody, Alex, Ben, Olivia, Emma and Anna; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Mason, Madeline, Kyla and Tia.

Arrangements were with Legacy Funeral Homes & Cremation Services — Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.