David Alan Davenport

David Alan Davenport, age 74, of Farmington, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, MN.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Dave at 11:00 AM with a Time of Gathering from 10:00 – 11:00 AM on Friday, May 9, 2025 at Valley Christian Church, 20270 Iberia Avenue, Lakeville. Dave will be laid to rest in Lewiston, IL, at a later date.

The oldest of four, David Alan was born on February 27, 1951 to Bob and Helen (Harn) Davenport in Lewiston, IL. Soon after, the family moved to Spooner, WI, where Dave spent the majority of his childhood. He lived an active early life and particularly enjoyed fishing for trout on the Namakagon river with his father, a hobby he later passed on to his sons. He was an exceptional student, making the Dean's List in high school, and a talented musician, playing in the school band. Dave also enjoyed playing football during his high school years on top of playing in the marching band. This became a little tricky as Dave would play the first half of football, rush in at halftime so he could perform in the halftime show, rush back in when it ended, and put his football gear back on to finish the second half of the game.

Upon graduating high school in 1969, Dave spent a year at college in Eau Claire before joining the Navy, where he served for four years as a member of the Navy Band aboard the USS Independence. After his military service, he returned to college in Rice Lake, WI. He formed "Dave’s Dixieland Band," and continued his passion for music. He would continue his love for music the rest of his life, performing with his trumpet with the Dean’s List band for 25 years, getting to meet various celebrities and influential figures throughout.

It was during his time in Rice Lake that Dave met the love of his life, Cindy, through a mutual friend. Despite Cindy’s initial hesitation, Dave knew she was the one for him. They married at Bethany Lutheran in Rice Lake on October 16, 1976, and were blessed with two sons, David and Jason. The family settled in Rice Lake, where Dave enjoyed playing backyard football with his sons and later coaching them. He loved to golf and fish with his family as well and carried on the tradition of love for sports with his grandchildren.

Dave had a successful career in marketing and sales, working for American Family in Wisconsin, a janitorial service in Chicago, and Jani-King in Minnesota. In his later years, he worked in marketing for the Mint in the gold and silver industries and drove a school bus in retirement for Farmington, serving special needs students.

Known for his quick wit and classic dad jokes, Dave had a unique ability to make people laugh. His conversations often began with a joke, "Did I ever tell you about...?" His humor and charismatic personality endeared him to all who knew him.

A die-hard Green Bay Packers fan, Dave remained loyal to his team even while dealing with questionable antenna coverage, and later while living out of state in Chicago and Minnesota.

Dave’s love for his family, charismatic personality, and even spirited nature will be remembered by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Cindy; sons, David John (Joy) Davenport and Jason (Julene) Davenport; grandchildren, Lily, Aidan, and Mason; mother, Helen Davenport; siblings, Rita Davenport, Bobby (Robin) Davenport, and Lynne (Tom) Hagen; 4-legged friend, Sadie; and other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Bob Davenport; aunt, Lois Harn; and first cousin, Tommy Davenport.