David James Bear

David James Bear, 41, passed away on August 10, 2026. He was born on July 22, 1985, in Cape Canaveral, Florida, to Cynthia Lee Bear (Schaffer) and the late Daniel Lowell Bear.

David was amazing - loving and kind, talented and smart. There seemed to be very little he could not do when he set his mind to it, and he accomplished much throughout his life. He graduated from Garaway High School and was offered a scholarship to pitch baseball in Pennsylvania, but chose instead to attend the University of Akron. He also attended the Community College of the Air Force, the University of Phoenix, and the University of Colorado, and graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Program. 

David served his country with honor for eight years in the United States Air Force. During his service he was stationed in Germany, Montana, and Iraq, where he helped train military police. He later continued his life of service as an officer with the Gainesville Police Department.

Those achievements tell only part of David's story. He was deeply loved by all who knew him and will be remembered as a kind, loyal, compassionate, and loving son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He loved to make his mother Cynthia and his brother Johnny laugh; one of their favorite memories was when David would order funny costumes and surprise them by stepping out and dancing just to bring joy to the room.

His mother also treasured the moment David walked into her home and said, "Mom, I want to get saved." Sitting together on the couch, holding hands, David asked Jesus into his heart and for forgiveness of his sins. His family finds great peace in knowing that David is in Heaven - welcomed home by Jesus - where there is no more pain, suffering, or sleepless nights. God is always faithful. God hears and answers prayer.

David is survived by his mother, Cynthia Lee Bear of Palm Bay, Florida; his sisters, Ashlee Pebworth and her husband Corey and their children Hayden, Harper, Adelyn, and Magnolia of Lee's Summit, Missouri; Schatzie Bear of Bowling Green, Kentucky; Candace Neely and her daughter Laura of Bowling Green, Kentucky; Sierra Turos, her husband Joseph, and their daughter Aylanni Amor Turos of Cleveland, Ohio; and his brother, Johnny Bear of Palm Bay, Florida. He is also survived by his half-brother Nathan Bear, his wife Theresa, and their children Lily and Kingman; and his half-sister Amy Angel, her husband John, and their sons Ian and Liam, who loved him dearly. David is lovingly remembered by his aunt, Susan Smith-Snodgrass and her husband Robert of Nashville, Tennessee; his cousins Dustin, Christopher, and Brian Smith, along with their spouses and children; his paternal aunts Barbara Douthitt, Deanna Bear, Marcia Troyer, and Gloria Bear; his surviving uncle Duke Bixler, all of Ohio; and numerous additional cousins and extended family members.

David was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Lowell Bear; his maternal grandparents, Reverend Jimmy and Marilyn Schaffer; his uncle Timothy Schaffer; his paternal grandparents, Iradell and Charlene Bear; his aunt Cynthia Bixler; his uncle Richard Douthitt; his cousin Zachary Davis; and his great-grandparents.

Memorial Service

September 8, 2026 - 2:00 PM EST 

Cape Canaveral National Cemetery

5525 North US Highway 1

Scottsmoor, FL 32754

Jesus welcomed him home