David R. Lettsome, age 85, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, passed away December 19, 2018, at the Florida Department of Veterans Nursing Home in Pembroke Pines, Florida.  Beloved husband of Merrilyn (nee Baker) Lettsome; loving father of Bradley Lettsome (Karen), David A. Lettsome (Kate), Douglas Lettsome (Jana), and Jodi Lettsome Compton; cherished grandfather of Heather Muir (Jimmy), Jessica Lettsome, Matthew Lettsome, Andrew Lettsome (Abby), Claire Compton, Audrey Compton, and Vivian Compton; great-grandfather of Kohen Muir, Grayson Muir, Adalyn Lettsome, and Carson Lettsome. David was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 23, 1933.  He was preceded in death by his mother Ruth Lettsome, his father Allen Lettsome, and sister Aleen Lettsome. David was a graduate of Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. During his college years, he enlisted in the US Army during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Europe. After returning from Europe, he completed his Bachelors of Science degree in geology and married the love of his life, Merrilyn, on June 23, 1956. During the first few years of their marriage, David and Merrilyn resided in Chicago, Illinois, where their three sons were born.  In 1964, the family relocated to Andros Island, Bahamas, where David worked for the Atlantic Underseas Testing and Evaluation Center. In 1965, after a boating accident, the family moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where David began his long career in real estate.  David’s daughter was born shortly after their move to Florida. David shared his love of adventure with his family by taking them traveling throughout the United States and overseas. He loved the outdoors, boating, and fishing. He enjoyed being around people, especially his family. He was a lover of good food and somehow seemed to always find the best places to eat no matter where he traveled. David loved to laugh, play card games with the family, cooking. He enjoyed good spy novels, treasure hunting stories, and dreaming about his next travel adventure.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Family Church Sherbrooke, 8657 Lantana Road, Lake Worth.  A graveside service will be held at the United States National Cemetery of South Florida in Lake Worth at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 4, 2019.