David Martin Jeter died Aug. 27, 2014, at Whidbey General Hospital at the age of 93. He was born Aug. 21, 1921, in Kokomo, Ind., to Harry and Myrtle Jeter.

At the age of 16, David moved to California, where he graduated from Grossmont High School in LaMesa.

Dave went on to attend college for one year and then began working for the telephone company.

World War II began and Dave enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. He was soon commissioned as an Ensign and began flying. The Navy sent him to Pensacola, Fla.; Hawaii; Kansas and Illinois. Dave had an incredible flying career and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with eight stars, the Presidential Unit Citation with two stars and other various medals and awards. He was a Veteran of WWII and Korea conflict. He retired in 1964 as a LCDR (O-4).

Following his military retirement, David sold insurance for a short time and then worked as a realtor in the Bay Area of California for many years.

Dave went to Whidbey with a friend following retirement and elected to make Oak Harbor home in 2000.

Dave was a member of the Tailhook Association and the Military Officers Retirement Association.

He enjoyed fishing, camping, being out-of-doors, watching life over Dugualla Bay and travel.

He had a great interest in the happenings in the world and enjoyed reading the newspaper, Discovery Magazine, National Geographic and Louis L’amour novels.

David is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; one daughter, Darcy Oliver, and husband Ernie; three stepchildren; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife and one daughter, Becky.

A celebration of life was held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, at the Dugualla Bay Clubhouse with military honors.

Please visit David’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences.