David Harlan

Derby, Kansas - David L. Harlan, age 89, passed away, Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

Memorial Service, 11am, Saturday, January 21, at Crosswinds Community Church, Derby.

Preceded in death by parents, Churchill and Thelma (Bishop) Harlan; sister, Janice (William) Lamb. Survivors: wife, Kay (Ray) Harlan of Derby; daughters, Rebecca (Craig) Melsoni and Rise' Harlan, all of Derby; sister, Mary Kay Avila (George) of Wichita; grandchildren, Anita (Brian) Hartzell, Erin (Richard)Sparks, C. David (Melissa) Melsoni, Emily (Bryan) Johnson, Rachel (Cole) Kaemmerling; great-grandchildren, Devan Sparks, Gavin Unkel, Kaitlyn Hartzell, Emma Hartzell, Dylan Unkel, Addison Hartzell, Chase Unkel, Aiden Sparks, Emily Melsoni, Clara Melsoni, Arianna Kaemmerling, Cole Kaemmerling Jr., Lexie Kaemmerling, Kailani Kaemmerling.

David was born in Winfield, Kansas and spent his childhood along the Walnut River fishing, exploring and making life-long friends. His life was an adventure from start to finish and he accomplished many things: Accomplished Flutist, Graduate of Wichita East High School, Army Veteran CPL(T), Wichita University Fraternity founder, Wichita University Bachelor’s Degree, Husband of one, Amateur Advertising Model, Successful Commercial Printing Salesman, Father of two, Pilot and private-plane owner, Grandfather to five, International Fine Art Impressionist (in spite of being color blind), Great-Grandfather to fourteen and a forever friend to many, many people.

He met and married the love of his life, Kay Ray, on February 7th, 1959 after a whirlwind romance of eleven weeks and they spent the next 64 years creating wonderful memories for their family and for each other as they traveled the world. They moved from Wichita to Santa Fe, NM in 1984 to pursue David's dream of being a professional artist, which became a reality for them. In 2003 they relocated to Prescott, AZ until 2021 when they moved back to Derby to be with family.

His greatest accomplishment, which had nothing to do with him, and that he never asked for, was the day that God, in His mercy, revealed His truth and saved David from himself.  He began to study and share God's word more and more, and it became the most important thing in his life. His goal became less of him, more of Christ.

While he has left behind a void here on earth, his faith has been made sight, he is seeing his Saviour face-to-face, he can finally see perfect color, hear perfect praise and, as he said many, many times...he is done being trapped in a body of sin and is free to worship his Lord.

He was just a man walking after Christ the best he could on this side of Glory…....and he has finished the race well.

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