David Lee Mumaw

His Last Race to the Finish Dave Mumaw David Lee Mumaw ran his final race against cancer last weekend on Labor Day just as he had raced every Labor Day weekend his entire life. Dave in his super modified race car could be seen on a regular basis at race tracks with names like Sandusky Raceway, Oslago, New York and the Mansfield Motor Speedway. This last was the most important to Dave because it wasn’t for money or a trophy but the opportunity to be with his savior, Jesus Christ. If you ask Dave he would be the first to tell you he came out of the delivery room driving a car! The truth of the matter is Dave was born on March 2nd in 1947 in Ashland, Ohio to his loving parents Hubert and Marian (Cling) Mumaw. A lifelong resident of Ashland, Dave was well known as the go-to-guy for anything dealing with automobiles. Every phone call for help was answered with a smile and always the statement, “I’ll be right there!” Anything that had wheels could be fixed by Dave Mumaw and friends and were always more important than time or money. Veterans were also important to Dave. Dave served in the Army from September 1966 with an Honorable Discharge in September of 1968, followed by serving as a Reservist until September of 1972. Dave loved his country. Dave was an officer and member in good standing of the Am-Vets, American Legion Post 88 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1067. Always quick to assist a fellow veteran, Dave served in many leadership roles in Ashland’s local Service clubs and their activities to benefit the community. Dave loved to ride his Harley Davidson and could be seen at many local poker runs to raise money to benefit local charities. Dave was a founding member of the American Legion Post 88, American Legion Riders Club and could be seen in many parades throughout Ashland County on his Harley. Dave was also famous as a cook at some of these events making beans and his award winning spaghetti noodles. If Dave couldn’t ride or drive it, he would put it on a plate and eat it! Perhaps next to his family, Dave would be quick to tell you of his high priority in teaching and helping children. More than automobiles or motorcycles, Dave’s heart was with his students. After graduating from Ashland High School in 1966 and serving his country, Dave served 28 years as the auto body instructor at the Ashland/West Holmes Career Center. In this position Dave was blessed to have touched many young lives as a mentor and friend. Dave enjoyed many of the relationships made during his teaching years with many students (now adults) stopping by his garage on Sherman Avenue just to say hello to Mr. Mumaw and talk about cars. Above all other things in his life Dave was a family man. His wife Judy of 28 years was the love of his life and his soul mate. Together they would attend car shows, camp, motorcycle and boat. Dave would always put his marriage first and consider Judy not only a life companion, but a true friend. Asking any of Dave’s friends (which there are many) what he liked to talk about the most was not cars, but his children and grandchildren. Dave’s daughter Mackenzie (Andy) Ambrose and their children Ella & Rhett; daughters, Ronda (John) Landrum and their children Brandon & Brock and Robyn Dennison and her children Corey & Jesse were Dave’s world; and his niece’s, Pam Fulk and Linda Hayner. Any Saturday you could see some of the grandchildren hanging around the garage and slowly becoming gear-heads like their grandpa. The grandkids will miss their grandpa, but will always have many great memories of the time they spent together. Well that’s about it, our friend is gone and we all feel a great loss. The Ashland community won’t be the same without Dave Mumaw in his old Ford Falcon with that big smile on his face, blowing the horn to say hello! Those of us with faith know this is not the end for Dave, but the beginning. Dave is at the starting line of a new race track that is eternal. A Celebration of Life will be held, Saturday, October 8, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the American Legion Harry Higgins Post 88. The Ashland Veteran’s Honor Guard will conduct full military honors. Interment will be in the Ashland Cemetery.. Online expression of sympathy for the family may be made by visiting denbowfh.com. Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with the arrangements