David C. Talleur

David C. Talleur, 83, passed away on Thursday, October 27, 2022 and will be sorely missed by his many friends and family. Born in Poughkeepsie, NY on January 20, 1939, David was the youngest of three children born to Richard B. Talleur and Dorothy Carner Talleur Wollenhaupt, who predeceased him as did his brother, Richard W. Talleur.

David enjoyed a full life.  He succumbed to an aggressive cancer but passed quietly at home with his family and the care of Hospice, as was his wish. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Denise; his daughter, Ragan Talleur and son-in-law Jacob Rice; his amazing granddaughters, Catherine and Abigail Rice; his sister, Carolyn Talleur Lawatsch; as well as several well-loved nieces, nephews and cousins.

David enjoyed a life of challenge, adventure, hard work and fun. He served in the USAF from 1956 – 1960, in the Strategic Air Command as a Crew Chief on KC-135’s used for mid-air refueling. (Maybe you had to see the movie!) He could fix anything – mechanical, electrical, plumbing, construction, etc. If he couldn’t fix it, it couldn’t be fixed. He then ferried small single and twin-engine airplanes over oceans and across remote continents in the 1970’s using dead reckoning for navigation. David went on to have a long career as a professional corporate pilot where he served as an international Captain on Gulfstreams. He also had the distinction of being one the very few corporate pilots who was also a certified Master Mechanic.

Following his first retirement in 2003, he put his suitcases in the attic and turned to home improvement projects – for about six months. Then he found more enjoyment as a consultant, naturally, in the business of corporate aviation. He followed that by going back to work full time as an instructor with Flight Safety, a training organization devoted to the certification of professional pilots, in Savannah, GA for another five years of Aviation enjoyment. And just in case he had some spare time, in 2008 he volunteered at the Mighty 8^th Museum in Pooler, GA for the restoration of the Flying Fortress B-17 “City of Savannah”. His first job with the Mighty 8^th was aptly titled “The B.S. Guy”. Many museum visitors were interested in the restoration work and wanted to stop and chat.  The volunteers needed a “B.S. Guy” to stand out front and answer some questions about what was going on – and that let the rest of the volunteers go on with their work.  He was really good at B.S. He worked on the restoration of that B-17 in many capacities over the next 10 years and was tremendously proud of the gorgeous and authentic restoration that “The City of Savannah” ultimately became and his part in achieving it. 

David was also a loving family man, a loyal friend, and a choral singer with a great bass voice who enjoyed classic Baroque music, Bluegrass, Big Band and Jazz. He was always the happiest when old friends came to dinner, and we all listened to good music, with good drinks, good food, and good conversation.

Today, and forever, family and friends all grieve his passing. We will miss his sharp wit, his sense of humor, his presence every day to guide us, protect us, love us, and make us laugh. 

As he wished, David will be cremated. A memorial service with Military Honors will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Bryan Chapel, 10512 Ford Avenue, Richmond Hill, GA 31324. David’s family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.  

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Heifer International, heifer.org, or the Mighty 8^th Museum in Pooler, GA, (175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA 31322), or your favorite Local Animal Shelter.

Carter Funeral Home Bryan Chapel is handling the arrangements. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit www.carterbryanchapel.com.