Procession And Flag Event Sunday, March 20th
SMITHFIELD – In the short time that he lived, Jeffrey David made a big impact on his family, church, and community. In 2005, Jeffrey and his parents, Jeffrey and Deborah David, moved to Smithfield. He quickly made friends and became a part of the community. He was active in Smithfield Parks and Recreation athletics playing baseball, Red Devils football, and most assuredly basketball. He played travel basketball with AAU teams, including Cleveland Pride, Selma Thunder, and Matrix.
Jeffery attended both Smithfield-Selma and Cleveland High, graduating from Cleveland High School in 2015. He played basketball throughout middle/high school as a small forward/point guard.
Jeffery worked as a camp counselor for several summers at the Smithfield Aquatics and Recreational Center. He also worked at other local businesses, including the Smithfield Wal-Mart, Golden Corral, and Chick-Fil-A in Pembroke, NC.
He was a student-athlete at Pitt Community College in Winterville, NC, where he also played basketball, as a shooting guard, for one year before transferring to Fayetteville State University, and lastly to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. In 2019, he made a career change and joined the U.S. Army.
He learned to serve others at an early age and was inspired to join the military to serve his country and to provide for his son. Jeffery graduated in 2020 as a skilled Army Infantryman from the 98th Infantry Brigade – Bravo Company 3-54 at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was stationed in Tacoma, Washington serving with Comanche Company 123. His life, however, was cut short as he died suddenly February 22, 2021, a non-combat related death, at the Madigan Army Medical Hospital on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Jeffery was a fun-loving, happy young man who had a hearty laugh and a smile that certainly brought life to everyone when he was around.
“It gives me great pride that my son died doing what he loved to do, serving and defending our country,” said his mother Deborah David.
The community is now being changed through his life. The family has started the Jeffery Isaiah David Memorial Foundation, Inc. in his honor and to continue his legacy to inspire and assist youth and young adults to serve and to do good works in the community.
In honor of PFC Jeffery Isaiah David, the Fallen but not Forgotten Military Remembering & Honoring Our Fallen Organization will place a permanent flag in his honor on Sunday March 20th at 2:30pm at his parents home at 128 Weatherspoon Lane in Smithfield. The ceremony will include a presentation of flags by the Color Guard and a ceremonial tribute to his service.
Family, friends, and the community will gather at McDonald’s on W. Market Street this Sunday, March 20th at 1:30pm and leave at 2:00pm to travel in a procession to his parents home for the ceremony. One of those who will be attending is Marlon Lee, a Smithfield Town Councilman and coach at Clayton High School.
“I was able to meet Jeffery Isaiah David as he matriculated through Johnston County Public Schools. His parents were both employed by JCPS also and also he has a brother Jeremiah who graduated from SSS. Jeffery spent some time in Men of Distinction, a mentoring organization for young men at SSS and Clayton High School that I advise. Through this organization much time was spent on community service and volunteering. I was also able to follow his basketball journey from AAU to high school to college,” Mr. Lee said.
“Jeffery was always a respectful, well mannered young man. He was a true friend to his peers and well liked by many. Through the Jeffery Isaiah David Memorial Foundation, Inc. (JIDMF), a non-profit organization whose aim is to educate, empower, and assist single fathers, youth, and young adults in the community as they learn, mature, and grow as productive citizens, I pledge to help carry out the legacy that Jeffery lived,” Mr. Lee added.
Jeffery wanted to make a difference. He chose to volunteer to serve our nation, which displayed great courage, selflessness and honor. In doing so, he made the ultimate sacrifice with his life.
His legacy will live on.
