David Keith McClave

David Keith McClave died in a tragic motorcycle accident on June 13, 2017 in Spokane, Washington. He was born in Harford, Maryland, July 24, 1967. He is preceded in death by his mother Jo Mary McClave and his sister Cathy Dean Wolff. David is survived by his son Nicholas Jarvis, daughters Hannah and Chloe McClave, father Michael McClave, former wife Heidi McClave, sisters Mona Dunson, Pam Lorenz, and Juli McClave, aunt Kay Coop and cousin Matt Coop. David had many family and friends not listed here whom he loved and who loved him dearly. The depth of loss experienced by his death is immeasurable. Dave served his country in the Navy and Navy Reserve Force as a Naval Journalist in Iceland and Sicily, during the Cold War. He was proud of and thankful for the opportunity to serve his country in this capacity. Dave was a storyteller. If you spent more than a few minutes with him you would be the captive audience for one of Dave's stories of his excursions to India or Iceland, that one time the Navy kidnapped him, the haunted tunnel he visited while filming a TV show, or one of his many other, sometimes unbelievable, experiences. Dave loved that he had passed his musical talents on to his children. Recently he loved telling the story of when, on the way home from a family trip to Seattle, the car broke down near Moses Lake. When the tow truck finally picked them up to bring them home to Spokane, the three teenagers started harmonizing songs from Pentatonix, Christina Perry and Frozen. The whole time, Dave just sat back and listened, overwhelmed by love and pride for each one of his children. To hear Dave tell it, the tow truck driver offered that if they ever needed a lift again, it was free of charge thanks to the wonderful entertainment he had received on the drive back to Spokane. Anyone that knew Dave had no question how proud he was of his children or how much he adored each one of them. Dave had an amazing musical talent. If you asked him what instruments he played he replied, “Anything but single reed instruments,” and he was learning to play those as well. He was very involved in Spokane’s rock scene and was often seen playing bass with Kozmik DreamZz or one of the countless other bands he was a member of over that last 35 years. In 2010, while completing a yard sale, he was confronted by the Kozmik DreamZz team. Searching for a bassist, they offered David to join. Well, actually, his wife at the time TOLD HIM he was joining the team. In the years to come, he became a major part of the group. A brother, a best friend, companion, soul mate, amongst bassist, backing vocals, soundman, and creative media. They were an inseparable team. His dedication and love for the band, showed every time he performed. It wasn't just the music that kept them together though. He was part of the family. When David walked into the room, his energy would shine. Making everyone he would meet, or even just catch eye contact with, smile. He was quite a character onstage. Using his "Kermit the frog" voice in the song "We're not gonna take it"…then carrying out with his growl …to performing "Phantom of the Opera" at Spokane's Pig Out, the audience loved him. Off stage, David was an intricate part of the bands lives. He had a most positive outlook to everything. Though you've read many obituaries, David was a unique, creative, intelligent… indescribable soul, becoming a family member to many. That shall be missed so deeply. A class act, the STAR OF THE SHOW. There truly aren't the words to describe who he was, because you can't put love into words. From his daughter Hannah McClave: My dad would have been proud to see how many people showed up in the weeks following his death. Hundreds of people paying their respects and offering to help in whatever way they could. People helping clean, bringing food, just coming to talk. He will never be forgotten, but live on in the hearts of everyone he met, and even people who never knew him, but saw him in concert, or just heard about him. He once sold a guitar to Johnny Depp. He once got a bass from the bass player of Steppenwolf. He played in both a Van Halen and a Janis Joplin cover band. He did what he loved for a living. He once told me he would rather make just enough to get by, doing what he loved, than make a lot of money doing what he hated. He was my best friend, my first music teacher, my father. He truly loved everyone. He taught me photo composition before I could multiply. He taught me my first guitar chords by the time I was 10 years old. He taught me to be loving, generous and kind. My dad was the best man I know. He still is. And he always will be.