Obituary of David Ralph Babcock

David Ralph Babcock ASHTABULA - The name David means "beloved", and David Ralph Babcock Senior was and still is beloved by his family and friends; he passed away surrounded by family on November 18, 2021. He was born in Union City, Pennsylvania, on February 26, 1943, to Ralph Newburn and Irena Loomis Babcock, joining his brother Donald Paul and his sister Janet Marie. Another brother, Garner William, would be born in November of 1944. When David was still very young, his family moved from Union City to Perry, Ohio. In Perry, his father Ralph worked in a sawmill, built houses, and worked at various other jobs to support his family, eventually working fulltime on the local railroad. David attended Perry schools and began working for Willowbend Nursery while he was still in high school. He still worked there when he met Kathy Covert in 1962. Many evenings, they watched the sunset over the fields of plants from his car as they ate Manners Big Boy burgers and drank coke. David and Kathy were married on April 6, 1963, on his father Ralph's birthday, Over the next few years, they had two children, David Ralph Babcock, Jr., and Candy Lynn. David worked hard all of his life as a tow motor operator, a painter, a crane operator, and in many other capacities at companies including General Electric and Ajax Iron Works. He finished his career at Midwest Materials, Incorporated in Perry, Ohio, working there for 36 years. Playing hard as well as working hard was important to David and he enjoyed many activities in his leisure time including taking flying lessons, riding his Gold Wing motorcycle, and spending time at the gun range. He loved NASCAR, closely following the races, and was an avid fan of Jimmie Johnson. His wife, Kathy, dressed him in his Jimmie Johnson shirt for his homecoming in heaven. Next to God, David considered family the most important thing in his life. After some twists and turns and 45 years apart, Kathy and David remarried in 2014 and enjoyed his remaining years together. They traveled, spent cozy evenings at home watching Hallmark movies, NASCAR Races, and Parking Wars together. Altogether, David and Kathy have four children, Todd, Jill, Candy, and David. His grandchildren tell stories about David and his policy of not letting anyone drive his car. They reminisce about the time his son David wrecked his brand-new car. David had 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Per his request, private family services were observed. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lighthouse Harvest Foundation, 2710 State Rd, Ashtabula, OH 44004 Ducro Funeral Services and Crematory, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula is handling arrangements. Online obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com