05/20/2009: "David Lee Spurgeon"

David Lee, as he called himself, was born October 15, 1934 in Hoquiam, Washington. He died peacefully at home in the loving care of his wife Mary Ann May 13, 2009.

David's early years were spent in Ballard, Washington and later the family lived in Ballard. Subsequently, the family moved to Fremont in northern California. As a senior in high school, he was elected student body president. David was a born entrepreneur and always fascinated with automobiles, a lifetime love.

In order to purchase his first car, for three years he made money from his newspaper route and pushing an ice cream cart. All this labor of love occurred before he was old enough to get a driver's license. Upon entering the working world, he joined with a General Motors distributorship and sold automobiles.

A natural and the top salesman, he sold so many cars that he was eligible to merit his own franchise but, was turned down by General Motors because "he was too young ... only 23 years old." Undaunted, he terminated that job and became a successful land developer in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

In his next career, he founded and became president of CanAm Corporation, an engineering firm which successfully developed products by extracting raw materials from copper slag. These products were sold nation-wide to 3M Corporation, roofing companies and others.

David moved to San Juan Island in the early 1990's settling on Neil Bay where he began, in earnest, to gather his rather significant collection of automobiles and "toys."

He married Mary Ann Duddleson in 2001 and during the last ten years of his life, he remained his effervescent self with a remarkable zest for life. His generous philanthropy was legend and one of his favorite quotes was, "I love to touch someone's life" ... and he did in so many ways. The aid he gave to Guide Dogs for the Blind was above the mark. We will miss David, his lust for life and marvelous sense of humor.

A celebration of his life is planned for sometime in the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations for his remembrance may be made to: Guide Dogs For The Blind, P.O. Box 151200
San Rafael, CA 94915.