David LaMar Steele
David LaMar Steele, 75, a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on November 19. 2023.
Dave was born in Chattanooga, Tn., on August 15, 1948, at Campbell’s Clinic. He was a 1966 graduate of Chattanooga Central High School and attended the University of Chattanooga. Although having lived in six states, Dave maintained a lifelong connection with his hometown.
Dave was employed by Southern Railway/Norfolk Southern in 1969 and remained connected throughout his 45-year career in the U.S. rail industry. He was a union representative of the Transportation Communications Union / International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (TCU/IAMAW) for 38 years of his rail career from which he retired in 2014 as a National Vice President. Dave was an ardent trade unionist supporting America’s working class and his fellow man.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, James Harvey Steele, Sr., and Anna Ruth (Ivester) Steele; his siblings, James Harvey Steele, Jr., Dorothy Steele Anderson, Millard Eugene Phillips, Phyllis Ann Phillips Shields, and Robert Kenneth Ivester.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Clara Ruth Gann Steele; his sister, Lynda Gail Steele Vincent; children, John David (Lisa) Steele, Jeffrey Lamar (Genie) Steele, and Charlotte Elise Ziegler Abruzzo; six grandchildren, Ryan, Amanda, Austin, Kinsey, Aaron, and Bella; and two great grandchildren Charlotte and William.
Dave was a 32nd Degree Mason with 50+ year memberships in East Lake Masonic Lodge No. 698; the Chattanooga Scottish Rite Bodies; and the Alhambra Shrine Temple. He was also a 50+ year member of the TCU/IAMAW.
Dave was an avid music enthusiast and musician. Since Dave was an anatomical donor there is no planned memorial service at this time.
Memorial donations may be made to: MAYO Clinic, 200 First St. SW Rochester, MN 55905; Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive Tampa, FL 33607; Guide Dogs of America, 13445 Glenoaks Blvd, Sylmar, CA 91342, The Foundation of Community Hospice & Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Rd. Jacksonville, Florida 32257: or your favorite charity.