Obituaries

It is with a broken heart that we announce the death of our beloved David E. Haney.  Dave passed away on April 16, 2023, at the age of 64 after a brief illness.  He was born on March 24, 1959, in Seattle, Washington.

Dave was a long-time resident of White Center, Washington, moving to Des Moines Washington later in life.  He graduated from Sealth High School in 1977.  Dave was especially proud of his Cherokee heritage and his two passions in life were music and martial arts.  If there was a piano in the room he could be found playing Color My World or Saturday in the Park by Chicago.  He enjoyed playing the keyboards with his friends throughout the years and was also accomplished at playing the accordion, guitar, and occasionally would be found hitting the drums when the opportunity arose.

Dave began studying Kung Fu at the age of 7 after being bullied on his way home from school.  He would speak fondly of Master Ho, who took him under his wing and trained him for many years.  After Master Ho’s death, Dave began studying Goju-Kai under Chris Kahn, ultimately earning black belts in 4 different styles with the highest ranking of 6th degree. Dave went on to teach Goju-Kai at the Southwest Recreation Center in White Center for several years, where he met his future wife, Michelle.  Dave also taught martial arts at Family Fitness Center in Burien, Fitness Affair in White Center and South Seattle Karate Club, with many private students and security gigs over the years. Dave had a passion for the traditional way of training and could be found practicing, reading, studying and discussing martial arts daily, and he would not pass up a good martial arts flick. Dave especially had a heart for the abused and bullied, teaching anyone who had an immediate need at no cost.  He would say that teaching people to defend themselves was his ministry. Dave didn’t hesitate to answer a call for help or to step in when “things were going down”.

The loss of David has left a hole in the life of many.  He was a gentle soul with a lot of love to give. Dave will be missed dearly.

David is survived by his wife of 26 years, Michelle, his son David Peter Haney of Bremerton, daughter Judy Knapp of Manson and sister Sally Bazzell of Chehalis.  He is also survived by 4 grandchildren; Ciaran, Damian, and Evelyn Haney-Cawley, and Kaylee Knapp, 4 nieces; Sarah Haney, Kandice Miller, Krissy Haney and Judi Patrick, and 2 nephews; James Johnston and Brent Johnston.  Dave was preceded in death by his brother Henry Ray Haney Jr. of Seattle as well as his parents Henry (Pete) and Leona Haney.