Inspiration He came to serve, not to be served By Pastor Dewey Moede - July 6, 2013 2 541 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp The older I get the more I am writing about the passing of friends. What brings me comfort is that they are in heaven with our Father. What mourns me, is folks that pass on and do not know Jesus. Last night I got an email from my friend David’s sister-in-law, Marilyn telling me David passed away on July 1st of liver cancer. I had know idea David was ill. The last I talked to him was awhile back when his Dad, Oscar, my first boss in radio passed away. David was Program Director at KGCX when I started radio in the late 70’s and we we worked the morning show together. He had just been elected as a State Rep. in Montana. One of my other radio buddy’s Jay Scott based in Helena, Montana said last night that David was well respected by both Democrats and Republicans, he knew how to get things done for the people. The message I encourage us all to get from the life of David, is the same message of Jesus, He came to serve, not to be served. I encourage you to read David’s life story here, as there is a message of Godly service for us all.David Philip Halvorson was born on July 9, 1948 to Oscar and Fay (Lufkin) Halvorson in Sidney, MT. He was baptized into his Christian faith at Pella Lutheran Church (Sidney, MT) and was confirmed at First Lutheran Church, Williston, ND. He attended elementary school in Montana, Texas and Williston ND. He graduated with the Honor Group from Williston High School in 1966. In 1970 he graduated from the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks) with a BSBA degree in accounting. While attending UND he was in ROTC (Reserved Officer’s Training Corp) and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Following his university studies, he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA, West Point, NY) where he completed two years of study and military training. In 1972, David returned to Sidney to begin his radio broadcasting career with the family owned radio stations KGCX-AM and KGCH-FM. He held many positions including news, sales, production and station manager. He was regarded as having a natural voice for broadcasting. His voice-over work can still be heard on the Montana airwaves. In the early 1990s David moved to Helena, MT. It was in Helena that David began his involvement in the Montana state legislative process. He served during nine sessions as a Legislative staff member in the House of Representatives and Senate. The Helena Independent Record featured him as the House Bill Reader, describing him as the “fastest voice of the West”. During this time he formed many friendships and earned the respect of colleagues across both sides of the legislative aisles. In 2010 David returned to his hometown, Sidney. In 2012 he was elected to the Montana House of Representatives for House District 37. He was focused on serving his District regarding issues related to oil industry impact needs such as educational funding and infrastructure, as well as agriculture research and constitutional conservation. His in-depth knowledge of the process of law making allowed him to “hit the ground running”. As a freshman representative he was appointed to the Judiciary, Agriculture, and Education Committees, as well as serving as Vice Chair of the Rules Committee. He was well regarded by his many legislative friends and colleagues for his skill, honesty, and integrity in his work. David was well known for “giving back” through his church and community involvement. He combined his joy of motorcycle riding and his faith by riding many years to the Annual Sturgis Rally (Sturgis, SD) with the purpose of distributing pocket copies of the Gospel of John. While living in Sidney and Helena, he was a dedicated Sunday School Teacher. At First Lutheran Church (Helena) he served as Chairman of the School Board. He also served as the Executive Director of the Montana Right to Life. His extensive community service record includes Board Member of Richland Homes, Sidney Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture and Sidney Planning Board. He was a member of both Richland County and Lewis & Clark Republican Central Committees. He attended the Montana Republican Convention every year, including June 2013. As a member of the Sidney Kiwanis Club he served on the Spiritual Aims Committee. David had farming interests as a wheat producer in the Wildrose, ND area. He seeded his final crop in spring 2013. He enjoyed many interests and hobbies. A member of Boy Scout Troop 365, he earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout, as well as the Pro Deo et Patria award. Many summers he enjoyed Boy Scout camp at Lake Metigoshe, (ND). His peers honored him with the Order of the Arrow. In 1964 he attended the National Jamboree at Valley Forge, PA. He was an accomplished self-taught photographer. As a skilled marksman, he enjoyed Montana elk and deer hunting near his Ft Peck (MT) cabin. Time on his Harley gave him great pleasure. His university studies included the German language. His personality, hallmarked by his quick wit, humor and intellect, filled the room and will be forever missed. He took great interest in his nieces and nephews, sharing many common interests, as well as many of his pranks and antics. He was humbled and honored by his wide circle of friends and colleagues throughout his life. His relationships were characterized by his keen perception of each person and sharing of himself. A man of principle and conviction, David was known for not taking the easy or “pc” positions. David passed away on July 1, 2013 in Sidney, Montana with his family at his side. David did not take his cancer “lying down”. The strength of his convictions and faith drove his actions up to the moment of his death, even when his body was ruined with cancer. He remained active and committed throughout his illness. David is survived by his mother, Fay C Halvorson (Williston, ND), two brothers, Richard N Halvorson (Williston, ND), Thomas R and Marilyn (Leastman) Halvorson (Sidney, MT), two sisters, Cynthia K (Bernd Waldmann) Halvorson (Maur, Switzerland) and Deborah G Halvorson (Minneapolis, MN); one aunt, Phyllis E Lufkin (Mill Creek, WA); five nephews and two nieces, and eight great nieces and nephews, including his beloved god-daughter Signe Halvorson (Leif and Kim Halvorson, Sidney, MT) and two cousins, Becky (Myron) Hanson (Souris, ND) and Joyce Viall (Ray, ND). David is preceded in death by his father, Oscar H Halvorson, his grandparents, two aunts and uncles, Gladys and Robert E Anderson and Inez and Willard Magnuson and one cousin Wayne Viall. 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The older I get the more I am writing about the passing of friends. What brings me comfort is that they are in heaven with our Father. What mourns me, is folks that pass on and do not know Jesus. Last night I got an email from my friend David’s sister-in-law, Marilyn telling me David passed away on July 1st of liver cancer. I had know idea David was ill. The last I talked to him was awhile back when his Dad, Oscar, my first boss in radio passed away. David was Program Director at KGCX when I started radio in the late 70’s and we we worked the morning show together. He had just been elected as a State Rep. in Montana. One of my other radio buddy’s Jay Scott based in Helena, Montana said last night that David was well respected by both Democrats and Republicans, he knew how to get things done for the people. The message I encourage us all to get from the life of David, is the same message of Jesus, He came to serve, not to be served. I encourage you to read David’s life story here, as there is a message of Godly service for us all.David Philip Halvorson was born on July 9, 1948 to Oscar and Fay (Lufkin) Halvorson in Sidney, MT. He was baptized into his Christian faith at Pella Lutheran Church (Sidney, MT) and was confirmed at First Lutheran Church, Williston, ND. He attended elementary school in Montana, Texas and Williston ND. He graduated with the Honor Group from Williston High School in 1966. In 1970 he graduated from the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks) with a BSBA degree in accounting. While attending UND he was in ROTC (Reserved Officer’s Training Corp) and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Following his university studies, he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA, West Point, NY) where he completed two years of study and military training.
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