David Seymour Kessinger

David Seymour Kessinger, age 79, of Newport, Virginia, passed away on June 15, 2026, at Carilion Giles Community Hospital. He was born on April 28, 1947, in Waiteville, West Virginia, and lived a life marked by faith, service, hard work, and devotion to the people he loved.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Sheila St. Clair Kessinger, and as a father and grandfather, his family meant everything to him. He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Medley and her husband Stephen, his stepson, Marshall Huffman Jr., his stepdaughter, Michele Chatham and her husband Jack, his stepson, Gene Arnold and his wife, Anna Marie, and his granddaughter, Samantha Chatham. He is also survived by his brother, Ronald Kessinger and his wife Joyce, his niece, Rhonda Bandy and her husband, Phillip, and his nephew, Greg Kessinger and his wife, Kathleen. Also left to miss him are his sisters-in-law, Barbara Cardwell and her husband Bill, Greta Short, Lucy St. Clair, Rita Neary and her husband Jerry, along with nieces, nephews, and cousins who will cherish his memory. His extended family included those he loved and worked alongside to include those at Calvary Christian Church, the Giles County Christian Mission, and the Marshall family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Kessinger and Alice Givens Kessinger.

David earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction at Virginia Tech and used his education and abilities throughout his career as an engineer at RAAP, and with other ventures including Kessinger Construction Company. He was known as a man of intelligence, perseverance, and quiet strength that took pride in doing his work well. His life reflected a steady commitment to responsibility and excellence, and those who worked with him respected both his skill and his character.

In addition to his professional life, David devoted many years to ministry as the pastor of Calvary Christian Church. His faith was central to who he was, and he shared that faith through preaching, encouragement, and a sincere desire to help others. He found great joy in serving the Lord and in offering comfort and guidance to those around him. His words and example touched many lives, and his church family will remember him with deep gratitude and affection.

David was also a faithful volunteer at the Giles County Christian Mission Food Pantry, a role he greatly enjoyed. He believed in serving others in practical ways and found meaning in helping meet the needs of his community. Whether through a kind word, a helping hand, or a willing spirit, he lived out his values in everyday life. His generosity and compassion were evident to all who knew him.

He had many interests that brought him joy throughout his life. He loved preaching, gardening, remodeling old houses, and hunting. Most recently, he showed his more artistic side with writing a memoir and painting. He loved spending time with his family in Waiteville, WV, a place of adventure and joy in his childhood, and a place he treasured in later years building the (second) Kessinger family cabin. He approached each of these pursuits with curiosity, creativity, and determination. He especially enjoyed the satisfaction that came from building, restoring, and creating, and he found peace in the simple pleasures of hard work and time well spent. Above all, he valued serving others, and that desire shaped the way he lived each day.

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Kendall Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Calvary Christian Church with Pastor Sandy Hendricks officiating. Funeral services will conclude in the New Zion Cemetery in Waiteville, West Virginia, where he will be laid to rest. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Giles County Christian Mission Food Pantry or any charitable organization that serves the needs of others. A guestbook is available to send condolences to the family by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com. The staff of Kendall Funeral Home are honored to serve the Kessinger family.