David Michael Gruenwald

David Michael Gruenwald lived his life following God as a hardworking and kindhearted brother, devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He had a sweet-tooth and affinity for chocolate chip cookies, loved going out to eat (BBQ was always preferred), going to the movies with his family, watching baseball & football, and playing Rook with his friends each New Year's Eve. He'd spend summers helping out as a camp counselor at Camp Lela and a youth minister for Hallett Baptist Church. In his free time, he enjoyed running errands to the bank and post office with his meticulously balanced checkbook in hand.

David was born as the eldest of four sons to James George Gruenwald and Margie (Clinton) Gruenwald, and grandson to Grandpa and Grandma Jones on December 12, 1952, in Pasadena, California. Growing up, David was rambunctious and ornery but was always willing to go to bat if his little brothers were ever in trouble. He attended Oklahoma Bible Academy and later pursued his Bachelor's Degree in Education at Bartlesville Wesleyan, making life-long friendships along the way.

After graduation, David threw himself into finding his fortune, scraping, and saving as much as he could. Growing up with humble beginnings, David was determined to find security and stability in his future. Thus, he donned a variety of hats to do so, working lots of hours at many different jobs. These included working as a custodian, a postal worker, grocery store stocker/bag boy, medical supply delivery driver, working selling rose bushes in the Walmart garden center, owning rental properties, stocking and servicing candy machines, driving buses, and teaching P.E., math, kindergarten-8th grade, and GED courses.

It was during his job at Taylor's IGA grocery store that he met his future bride and soulmate, Kimberly Sue Kapple. David and Kim would be married on August 20th, 1988. David and Kim enjoyed 38 years of marriage. David's love and devotion to his wife would always be strikingly apparent to all they met, with friends remarking that he loved Kim so much that he absolutely 'glowed' with it. He believed that God had brought them together and made sure God was always at the center of their marriage.

David and Kim would soon become parents, welcoming their first child, their daughter Emily Lynn, in 1991. In 1997, their second daughter, Timberlyn Marie would join the bunch. David was a very proud father to his girls! He'd toss them around in the pool, adopt dramatic personas while playing Barbies with them, and when he was all tuckered out, the girls would draw all over the bottom of his feet and toes with crayola markers as he snoozed in his favorite recliner. It was David's wish that he could be a role model that

exhibited strength of character, a faithful follower of God, and a reliable protector and provider that could prepare his girls for any challenges that may come their way.

When Emily and her husband José Ayala welcomed their son Rio into the world, David couldn't have been more pleased to be a grandpa. Grandpa David and little Rio formed an instantaneous and life-long bond. Although his time on earth with Rio was short, his impact will last forever.

David was a man who never knew a stranger and treated everyone he met as equal. His family would freely admit that while he was tight & frugal with money, he was always ready to give and serve in abundance to those in need. He got joy and fulfillment teaching courses at schools, prisons, and churches for people working towards their GEDs.

David received his healing in heaven on June 16th, 2026, at 73 years old in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Despite enduring a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, adrenal insufficiency, a major stroke, pneumonia, and sepsis, among other ailments, David continued to fight for more time on earth with his family. The Lord provided him with relief by taking him home Tuesday evening at 7 pm with his loved ones at his side.

David Gruenwald is survived by his wife Kim, daughter Emily (Gruenwald) Ayala, her husband José and their son Rio, David's daughter Timberlyn, his honorary son Kaygan Kapple; David's brother Bill Gruenwald and his wife Linda, brother Robert Gruenwald & his wife Jennefer, his brother Marc Gruenwald, David's step-sister Kathy Schellenberger, numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends that David considered family. David was preceded in death by his mother Marjorie Hodges, father James Gruenwald.

David's viewing will be held for friends and family on Friday, June 19th, from noon to 1:30, at First Christian Church, Cleveland, Oklahoma, with a ceremony to follow at 2 pm. Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for David at www.chapman-black.com.