David Craig Dover

David Craig Dover, 82, of Port Townsend, Washington, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2026, at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, Washington. He was born on May 17, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York.

David was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, man of faith, and friend. He and his beloved wife, Jessie, were married on April 20, 1985, and shared more than 41 years together.

David began his working life as an Ordinary Seaman in the Merchant Marines. He was especially proud to have “come out of the focsle,” rising through the deck-officer ranks through hard work, determination, and integrity. He was a creative thinker who could find solutions others had not considered, and when David made a commitment, people knew he would show up.

David also served his country in Vietnam as a U.S. Army Special Forces medic with Detachment A-253 at Duc Co, under Company B, 5th Special Forces Group. For his courageous combat service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Combat Medical Badge, and the Purple Heart.

David was a member of Port Ludlow Community Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Special Forces Association, and was a friend of Bill W. His faith was central to his life, as was his belief in scrupulous honesty, service, and giving back.

David loved riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles. After his military service, he and another veteran rode Harleys across the country, creating memories that stayed with him throughout his life. He also loved Christmas. Each year, he read “The Night Before Christmas” to his family, dressed as Santa on Christmas morning, and brought that same joy to community events. His grandchildren, and later his great-grandchildren, truly believed their grandpa was the real Santa Claus.

David lived for family and faith. He never sought personal glory, but he believed deeply in serving others and being present for the people he loved. Those who knew him might say that he had Santa’s heart, Rambo’s courage, and the faith of a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Harriett Earley and Daniel Dover; his brother, Drew; and his son, Robert “Bocci” Harms.

He is survived by his wife, Jessie; his children, Ronald Kerr and his wife, Yvette, and Lee Harms and his wife, Heidi; his siblings, Donald Dover and his wife, Jane, Dean Dover and his wife, Lee, and Priscilla Kinzie and her husband, David; his grandchildren, Nikolas Kerr, Briana (Harms) Ihasz and her husband, Gavin, Winter Harms, Brandon Harms, Bethany (Jess) Harms, Braelynn Harms, Brooklyn (August) Harms, Bryant Harms, and Bristol Harms; and his great-grandchildren, Elowen Ihasz, Charlotte Ihasz, Genevieve Ihasz, and Elizabeth Ihasz.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 26, at Port Ludlow Community Church, 9534 Oak Bay Road, Port Ludlow, Washington 98365. A graveside service with military honors will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Laurel Grove Cemetery, located off Discovery Road near Cemetery Street and 22nd Street in Port Townsend, Washington 98368.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in David’s memory to Voices for Veterans, an organization supporting homeless and at-risk veterans throughout the Olympic Peninsula. Mail checks to Voices for Veterans, P.O. Box 2810, Port Angeles, WA 98362. More information is available at www.voicesforveterans.org