James David Erwin

James David Erwin
David was born in Johnson City, Tennessee June 9, 1940. David and his family moved to the Guinea Mills area of Cumberland, Virginia in 1947 after his parents purchased Shady Brook farm sight unseen after reading an advertisement in the back of a magazine.

David loved being outdoors and spent his youth on the farm raising chickens, cattle and hogs. David loved to hunt and trap and collect Civil War artifacts and arrowheads from around the farm. David gained his love for the outdoors and nature from his parents and was even quoted in the Farmville Herald as a 17 year old boy –

“My father, mother, and I have spent many happy hours strolling through the woods or along a winding brook on our farm. My parents taught me the names of trees, wildflowers, birds, wild animals and, insects.”

As a high schooler, David was active in 4H and FFA and competed on the Forestry Judging Team. David was recognized by FFA as one of Virginia’s Top Farm Youths in 1957 - 1958. David was one of 32 students that graduated from Cumberland High School in 1958.

After high school, David continued farming on the family farm and started his own small business, Erwin Logging. David continued in the logging business until the mid-1990s when he then started another small business, Dave’s Recycling. David served businesses throughout Central Virginia and their carboard recycling needs. David affectionately became known throughout Central Virginia as “The Box Man”. David remained an active farmer until the early 2000s.

David was a member of Antioch UMC in Cumberland since 1947. For many years he taught Sunday School and sang in the church choir. For many years he was the care taker of the church grounds and cemetery.

David loved music and learned the play the piano and the accordion by ear.

David is survived by his wife of 56 years, Virginia, two daughters; Paula Erwin Totten and husband Dale Totten of Cumberland, Virginia, and Dana Virginia Tharp and husband Kevin Tharp of Glen Allen, Virginia. David was the proud grandfather of Grace Virginia Tharp, Griffin James Tharp and Ashlyn McGee Tharp.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who loved to watch his two daughters play softball throughout their high school years and a proud grandpa who loved to watch his three grandchildren play sports as well.

He will be greatly missed.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 2:00PM at Antiock United Methodist Church. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 from 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Puckett Funeral Home.
Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com.