David K. Ely III

On January 3rd, 1956, David Kenneth Ely III was born to David Kenneth Ely Jr. and Margaret (Evans) Ely in Pittsburgh, PA at Montefiore Hospital. He departed this temporal life in preference to life eternal on August 9, 2017 at The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System in Oakland.

David was educated at George Westinghouse High School and graduated in 1974. David performed his military service for the United States Air Force. Once he was honorably discharged from service with the Air Force, he worked for and retired with the Pittsburgh Board of Education after over 30 years.  

David was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, a member of Alpha St. Cyprian Lodge of Pittsburgh, and the percussionist in a band with his brothers and best friends, Pamoja. He was the driving force behind the visual artistry of the band. The costumes and colors used by the band were predominantly his concepts. He played percussion, the Kalimba, and sang songs like "Reasons" by Earth, Wind & Fire. David was a prolific artist with many different mediums, including water colors, oils, and pencil. A few of his favorite hobbies were collecting comic books and movies, listening to music, jamming with his friends, and reading.

A point of maturity was reached in 2006 when he professed a hope in Christ and united with the fellowship of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church.

David was preceded in death by his father, David K. Ely Jr., mother, Margaret “Peggy” Ely, and brother-in-law, John Dourado. David leaves to mourn his memory: his children Tiffany, David IV, Nicole, and Julian; His siblings Brenda Dourado, Gail Ely, Alfreida Ely, Kimberly Ely, and Lisa Vitalbo, all of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a host of nieces and nephews.