DAVID ELLIOTT SEVERANCE JR.

DAVID ELLIOTT SEVERANCE JR.
David E. Severance, Jr. died on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.  Known to everyone as Leavenworth’s Father Christmas, he was a fixture in the Leavenworth community for 27 years.  He was a part of numerous clubs, boards and festivals and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
A memorial Service will be held on Sunday, April 23 at 1 p.m.
The Nile Golf and Country Club
6601 244th St. SW
Mountlake Terrace, WA. 98043

Details for a celebration of life held in the Leavenworth area have yet to be determined.
David was born in Seattle in 1943. He grew up in a military family along with his twin sister and his younger brother.  His father was in the Marines, and they lived the typical military lifestyle with the family moving and traveling across the country their entire childhood.  He graduated high school in Colorado in 1961 and moved back to Seattle to attend the University of Washington.
Following his father’s footsteps, he joined the Marine Reserves right out of high school and served for 7 years while also a student and eventually a Seattle Police Officer.  After leaving the UW, he joined the Seattle Police Department in 1964 and served for 30 years until his retirement.
After his retirement, he moved to Leavenworth.  Knowing no one in Leavenworth, he joined many civic groups to get involved in the community and meet new people.  He eventually served on several clubs and boards and was instrumental in many city festivals and fundraising activities.  
In 1997, he began his second career as Father Christmas.  He would wander around town in his long robe and walking staff bringing smiles to everyone’s faces and was more than happy to pose for pictures with anyone who asked.  He also dressed up as St. Nicolas for Christkindlmart and Christmas Tree Lighting.  He portrayed these characters for 22 years until failing health forced him to hang up his robes. He is survived by his sister, 3 children and 4 grandchildren.