David Max Diamond, 67, lifelong resident of Chattanooga, died Tuesday July 29, 2003, in a local hospital.
David was a giant of a man, in height and love of life. He filled his years with a joyful zest and engaged in many hobbies and interests. His greatest love was for his family, immediate and extended. He was an avid horseman, gardener and golfer. He jogged, played handball and racquetball. He completed two marathons, a fact of which he was very proud. He developed commercial properties, and he greatly enjoyed hands-on developing of his two farms in Wildwood, GA and on the back of Lookout Mountain. He had an insatiable love of learning and read voraciously about current events, the Civil War, history, music and bee keeping. A playful orneriness and sense of humor were apparent to all who knew him. His friends were many and loyal.
Mr. Diamond was a graduate of Normal Park Elementary, The Baylor School, and The University of Virginia. He was a third-generation Chattanoogan involved in real estate, mortgage banking and insurance, and was most recently associated with U.S. Insurance Group. He was the first male president of Girls Inc., past president of Insurors of Chattanooga, and past president and board member of Mizpah Congregation. He received the Young Leadership Award of the Chattanooga Jewish Federation, was a past chairman of the Board of St. Barnabas and served in the U.S. Army Reserve with the Military Police. He was a member of the Mizpah Congregation, Ochs Memorial Temple. He was an avid golfer and charter member of Black Creek Golf Club.
Mr. Diamond is preceded in death by his father, Felix Diamond, and his mother, Estelle Moore Diamond.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Stein Diamond; son and daughter-in-law, Samuel David and Carol Diamond, all of Chattanooga; daughter and son-in-law, Sara Diamond and Michael Patterson, of Knoxville; three grandchildren, Hunter Hill, Caitlin Marie Patterson and Olivia Moore Diamond; two sisters, Sally Rosenberg, and husband Arthur of Greenwich, Conn, Norma Perlman and husband Jerold of Westport, Conn; three brother-in-laws Jon, Loel and Andy Stein and their families; mother and father-in-law, Donald and Mildred Stein, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Mizpah Congregation with Rabbi Joshua Lief and Rabbi Ken Kanter officiating.
Interment will follow at Mizpah Cemetery with Sam Diamond, Michael Patterson, Dr. Arthur Rosenberg, Dr. Jerry Perlman, Jon, Loel and Andrew Stein, Edward Diamond, and Philip Russ serving as pallbearers.
Contributions may be made to Mizpah Congregation 923 McCallie Ave. Chattanooga, TN 37403, Chattanooga Regional History Museum 400 Chestnut St Chattanooga, TN 37402, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund 4200 Rutledge Pike Knoxville, TN 37914 or a favorite charity. Condolences may be sent to www.heritagefh.com.
The family will receive friends Thursday 6-8:30 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.