David Patrick Hoersten

In the early morning hours of Thursday, December 19, 2024, (our beloved) David Patrick Hoersten, age 40, of Eatonton, Ga passed peacefully surrounded by his family and closest loved ones.  We held him, prayed over him, and reluctantly said “goodbye for now” as our hearts broke as he took his final breath. 

Born on Hilton Head Island, SC on August 1, 1984, David was one of three children and the only son of Scott Louis and Mary Anne Jenkins Hoersten of Lake Oconee, GA. 

David felt most “at home” on the golf course and the familiar waters of Lake Oconee — boating, fishing and spending time with family, especially his nephews. (Man, did they love their Uncle David.) During the Summer and Fall he could also be found spending evenings on the back porch with family, neighbors and of course, Watson, (the family dog) enjoying a cigar and watching a Braves game at sunset, or a UGA football game on Saturday. Trash-talking, marathon games of Pinochle were always the norm when any of his uncles came to visit. He and his Mother (aka Crazy Lady) always seemed to rise to the occasion and play their best when teamed together against Scott (aka Old Guy) and David’s uncle(s).

David always had a knack for unpredictability, and his leaving us would unfortunately be the same.  Whether being family or a friend of David’s, one thing of which you could be assured was that he was always scheming for a way to catch you off guard with his beloved albeit offbeat sense of humor.

David loved a good prank. Never missed an opportunity to make himself and those around him laugh, always prompting the recipient of his action to ask “Where do you come up with this stuff?”  He constantly caught us off guard to which we’d yell, “David!!” And he’d chuckle - or better, enter into full blown belly laughter - from across the table, across a room, across the phone.  He was so proud of himself.  And looking back on his life cut far too short, I think we’d all agree, we are really proud of the son, brother, uncle, friend, and beautiful person David was.

He was respectful and loyal. Helping others his natural response. Kindness always prevailed with David as none of us is able to think of a single mean-spirited thing he’d ever done. His heart was good. He knew a hug went further than arguing because when it comes down to it, who can argue with a hug? We’d like to say we’ll ‘have words’ with him in Heaven someday about leaving us so young, so soon… but in all honesty, I think he’ll get to us first with a giant hug. Because that’s what David does. That’s who David is.

God knew we’d needed his laughter and light-hearted take on this life.  The world is heavy enough. We didn’t need any more of the same.  All one really needed was just a little more ‘David.’ We all really just needed a little more ‘David.’

There won’t be a day we don’t wish you were still here with us. There won’t be a day we don’t laugh about something ridiculous you did. There won’t be a day we don’t smile for the joy you brought us.  There won’t be a day we don’t look forward to seeing you again.  Until then, we hold reminders of you everywhere. They wrap us in that David hug we didn’t know we needed as our tears of sadness eventually get mixed with those of laughter just when we think your absence is too much to bear. A part of you will always be with each of us, mostly because you left us countless treasures in memories and paraphernalia (what we affectionately refer to as stupid shit), but for now, we’ll need God’s help to have peace with that. We love you, David. Don’t cause too much mischief up there.

In addition to his parents, David is survived by his sisters, Katherine Scott Lohmeyer (Jason) of Gainesville, GA and Kelly Anne Walloch (Donny) of Lake Oconee; niece and nephews, Samantha (Sam) and Danny Lohmeyer, and Donny and Dallas Walloch; his very special girlfriend, Jessica Dawkins; along with his relatives: Tom Jenkins (Betsy), Dave Jenkins (Julie), Lynn Hoersten (Susan), Doug Hoersten (Lori), Mark Hoersten (Diana), Pat Hoersten (Jennifer), and Eric Hoersten (Donna), and numerous cousins and many, many friends.

The family will have a celebration of David’s life on January 4, 2025 at the family’s home from 1:00 to 5:00.

McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations . . . St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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