David C. Paray

Age 74, of St. Paul, MN; passed away peacefully on August 12, 2020.

 Survived by wife, Nellie; daughters, Kendra, Tami (Juan Zaragoza), Deidra (Dean Riebe) and Tanya; grandchildren, Blayne & Vaughn (Miranda) Onnen, Juan & Brandon Zaragoza, Casey, Victoria, & Hayley Riebe, and Jaylen Jones; and great-grandchildren, Amelia, Salem, Kaden & Lilla.​

David Paray was born on January 4, 1946, and the only child of Cedy and Victoria Paray. He spent most his life in St. Paul living in his childhood home. Pooling their resources, the family of three lived with his Lebanese Uncle and Aunt before spending a year with Philippine friends, until the building of that childhood home on Iowa Ave was completed. He learned “My Home is Your Home” and the importance of family and friends. Dave attended Maternity of Mary grade school, then graduated in 1964 from Hill High school where he played football and hockey.

​In 1965, he married his neighbor and childhood friend, Karen Youngman, creating a family of six with four beautiful daughters, whom he was so proud of. To ensure they were never left stranded, each daughter was taught simple car repair, and he shared his love of fishing and cooking. Eventually, he was blessed with eight wonderful grandchildren, with whom he also shared his love of hunting, fishing, cooking, and camping and shared many life lessons. His faith was also a high priority. 

In 1982, he met his “Chicky” at the drive-up window of his bank, where Nellie was a teller. They married in 1985, spending 35 years together on a memorable adventure. For seven years, living year-round on a houseboat, he would invite family and friends to days of cruising (only moving back home after the loss of his parents). The home was always open to family and friends going through difficult times. 

​Dave was proud of his Filipino and Lebanese heritage. Participating in plenty of Lebanese family reunions, he had a hope of visiting his maternal grandparents' homeland. In 1999 and again in 2004, he organized trips for the family to the Philippines, sharing the life and culture of his father. He was able to meet about 200 of his 900+ relatives. 

​Dave held many jobs over the years: stocker, parts distributor, truck loader, selling real estate and life insurance, and managing a restaurant, before working for the railroad as a conductor and ultimately retiring as an engineer. From his Boy Scout days, and lessons learned from previous generations to jobs that he held, along with other interests, he knew something about almost everything, which made it easy for him to talk to anybody about anything.  If you wanted to learn how to cook a cultural dish, it’s something he was excited to comply with, private lessons included.

​Never knowing when life would end these past few years, Dave wanted to create even more special memories for his girls, and grandchildren. He planned guided fishing trips that included Devil’s Lake and Lake Michigan.​

Dave was an active member of North Haven Church, serving as a greeter, usher and on the Board of Stewards for a number of years. Several mission trips to Mexico and the Philippines became a passion. If something needed to be done, he was ready to help with a willing heart and smile. Dave always had a belief in God, but realized he was missing something. It wasn’t all about going to Church, but understanding that God had a plan for him. In 1990, he began his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He shared his faith not forcefully, but by living it. ​Dave lived out God’s plan and is now at peace with the Lord.

Visitation from 3:00 - 6:00 PM Thursday, August 20 at MUELLER-BIES FUNERAL HOME-ROSEVILLE, 2130 N. Dale St @ County Road B.  In addition to the visitation, a private service will be streamed live online Friday, August 21st at 11:00am (join.northhavenlive.com).

Any memorials received will be donated to David’s preferred charities.