David Ellis McMaster was born on November 2, 1945 in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Des Moines Technical High School and Iowa Lutheran Nursing School.

In 1965 David joined The United States Navy and traveled throughout the world before serving as a medic with the Marines during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged and later went on to start his nursing career and start a family.

David spent the majority of his life in Des Moines, enjoying his time with family and many friends. He vacationed often in Osage Beach, Missouri, eventually buying his beloved lake house there. His later years were spent in northwest Florida. 

David loved traveling. His beloved road trips always included a stop to get a good breakfast, filling up with the cheapest gas in town, talking to strangers ad nauseum about his upcoming adventures, and maybe even sharing his impressions of his favorite comic Steve Martin. Like his idol, David was indeed one “wild and crazy guy.” He lived to tell jokes, get wildly goofy, dance with abandon and make people laugh. 

David was also generous beyond measure. He loved to bring treats and goodies everywhere he went- the bank, his daughter’s salon, the VA hospital, anywhere he wanted to spread joy. Nowhere was this generosity of spirit more prevalent than with his children. He loved surprising his children, so much so that his kids would often ask “How do you think he’ll surprise us this time?!” He, himself, would tell you that one of his most cherished, benevolent acts was buying tickets for his family to Game 6 and 7 of the 2011 World Series where his beloved St. Louis Cardinals clinched the pennant. 

Always in search of his next great second act, David accumulated many talents and hobbies. He was an avid record collector, a comedian, an art enthusiast, an entrepreneur, a vendor, a videographer, and a rare coin connoisseur, 

David was preceded in death by parents Dayton Sr. and Cleone Larpenter; siblings Dayton Jr., Ronald, Hubert, Richard, Larry, Sandra, Gary, and Linda. 

He is survived by children Paula McMaster of New Orleans, Stephanee (KC) Morrison of Holt, FL, Jacque (Jeremy) Jones of Des Moines, and Scott McMaster, also of New Orleans. Also survived by grandchildren: Isabel Levine, Gabrielle Levine, Kennon (Heather) Morrison, Ashten Morrison, Aiden Morrison, Adeline Jones and Wilson Jones. Also survived by great granddaughter Kinsley Morrison.

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