Biography: David Crossland Frierson left this earthly body on August 8, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on January 2, 1936 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Mary Marjorie Newland Frierson Barnett and James Cossland Frierson. During his childhood and high school years, he lived in Charleston, West Virginia, a state that always felt like home to him. He attended West Virginia University where he played the trombone in the marching band, pledged the Sigma Chi fraternity and he graduated as a business major in the class of 1957. In 1976, David was the first ever recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award from WVU.
David served in the U.S. Military (Army National Guard and active duty in the Army) between 1958-1964. He had a colorful career in sales, most memorably with Capitol Records, where he began his collection of vinyl records. He said he had never seen anything like it, when the Beatles’ first album released and it was too hot to keep in stock. He then worked in Atlanta, Georgia for TAB Products Company, and he was sent to open a branch of the business in Memphis. He later became sole owner of TAB Products of Arkansas, selling major filing systems, file folders and organizational products for medical offices and banks throughout the state. He was a member, and a board member at times, of the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA). He retired from TAB Products after 50 years of service. Dave spent his retirement years enjoying time with his wife Millie Sanford and their cat, a Maine Coon named Phelix. David enjoyed taking Phelix to the back patio to watch him explore the backyard under supervision.
Dave was a lifelong athlete who was one of the runners to participate in the first Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta in 1970. He had proud memories of hiking Pike’s Peak in Colorado while his best friend, Dawson Mase, ran the marathon–twice! For many years, Dave swam one mile at noon each day at the Jim Dailey Center, and later he rode his stationary bike at the house each night. David Frierson is survived by his wife of 23 years, Millie Sanford and her children Alex Sanford (of Centerton) and Garrett (and wife Cheryl) Sanford, and grandchildren Braden and Mary Kathryn Sanford (of Springdale). He is also survived by his daughter, Karen Cate (and her husband Stuart) and grandchildren Stu and Caroline Cate (of Tampa, FL), daughter Brooke Frierson (and her partner J. Travis Whittier of Little Rock), his grandchildren Eva Whittier & Liberty-Grace Jarrett, and his daughter Courtney Frierson (and husband J. Wade Younger of Little Rock).
Dave lived a full life of love, hiking, music, adventure, travel, and fitness, but he most cherished the simple pleasure of an evening outside with his wife, some cheese and a glass of red wine.
“And now the end is here
And so I face that final curtain
My friend I’ll make it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more”
I did it, MY WAY!”
-Dave (original lyrics from “My Way” by Paul Anka and made popular by Frank Sinatra)
The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to:
The Wounded Warrior Project
www.WoundedWarriorProject.org
P.O. Box 758516
Topeka, KS 66675
Or
Feline Rescue & Rehome (FuRR)
www.teamfurr.org
P.O. Box 250567
Little Rock, AR 72225