My family lived across the street from the McGruders, and we were very close friends. I knew David since he was born; as he, at two, trotted about as his mother, Deanna, and I spent hours sharing, I took them camping to Hume Lake in CA. David spent time with my son, Danny, 7 years older, playing Dungeons and Dragons. I recall David, about 4, standing at the dirt car path at a mountain camp, being reminded to look both ways before crossing. David just turned his head automatically in both directions without looking in any direction. By all means, he was doing what mother instructed! David thought of Danny as the cat’s meow, following him as much as he was able.

David was always a beautiful, gentle child, expressing himself briefly and quietly. I was very close to his two older sisters. The family is warm, loving, and brilliant, and I wish they were back here in Los Angeles. Margaret Yukiko Zumwinkle

Here’s another – the three pics attached
Two of my favorite memories:
– I came up to NYC my freshman year at Howard for a friend’s bday. Garrett was 6 months in the attached photo. My friend Kanyin and I got lost on the subway so Dave drove all the way into the city to pick us up. He gave us a tour of Brooklyn including showing us the park where they filmed Brown Sugar. We went to eat and Kanyin and I loved hearing Dave and Depelsha’s HU stories. 💙❤️
– Dave came to speak at the charter school I worked at in Harlem for Career Day. The kids loved hearing about his role as an attorney in Harlem. His office was walking distance from the school.

Cousin Dave always made sure I had a place to go for family time, a home cooked meal and HU memories. He told the best stories, made me laugh and kept me up-to-date with how everyone in our family was doing. I loved my cousin dearly.
With love,
Rene Christina