David Bruce Ainsworth

December 8, 1942 | March 13,202

His celebration of life will be 3:00 pm

April 11, 2026

Turning Point Church

3525 Marvin Rd NE

Lacy, WA

Kathy Ainsworth,

Dave lived his life appreciating his family and friends up to his last breath.  He passed from this life on earth to eternity with such dignity and peace.  He was the love of my life, my best friend and the most amazing mentoring father to our sons.  He will be missed so very much. 

My Dad,

He was the best DAD in the world. He lived life with more enthusiasm than I have seen in anyone. I will miss him but look forward to seeing him in heaven with our Jesus!!!

Obituary written by David Kathy Strandberg Ainsworth

David Bruce Ainsworth was born December 8,1942 to Barton and Dortha Ainsworth (Dortha Haines) in Bremerton, Washington. He peacefully passed away on March 13, 2026 in his Lacey, Washington home surrounded by his family.

Dave grew up in Bremerton and graduated from West Bremerton High School in 1961. In high school, Dave did the typical things. He played fullback on a championship football team that was inducted into the Kitsap Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. (Their winning record still stood.) He was also a swimming champion on the Bremerton High School swim team. To round out his skills, he completed all the requirements to earn his Eagle Scott Badge, which is the highest accomplishment in Boy Scouts. His wife Kathy, says there was no one she trusted more in case of an emergency of any kind. That fall he began taking classes at Bremerton Community College. He transferred to Central Washington University enrolling in the college of education with a major in biology and minor in human anatomy & physiology. He met his future wife, Katherine Strandberg at Central, and they were married on Thanksgiving Day of 1966. They celebrated their 59th anniversary in November of 2025. Upon graduation, he began his teaching career at Evergreen High School in the Highline School District. He went on to get his masters degree and work on a PHD in aquatic entomology. Their oldest son, Mark was 2 years old as they began this adventure, and they had a job as Head Residents of a men’s dormitory which financed their continued education. In 1972 their second son, Erik was born and Dave began his career in the Bellevue School District. He taught biology for 14 years and then went onto an administrative position as Director of curriculum and staff development. He retired from the BSD in 1998. He never did figure out how to retire and went on to enjoy several other careers. The last 12 years, he had the joy of working as office manager for Erik’s civil engineering firm. Dave loved to be part of the adventures his sons were passionate about. Youngest son Matthew recently realized his dream of living in Montana and Dave was able to spend several extended times helping him with the amazing projects he was accomplishing.

In 2006, Dave and Kathy left their home of 35 years on the Sammamish Plateau and relocated to the 55 plus community of Jubilee in Lacey, Washington. They had no idea the adventures that awaited them. There were so many wonderful people to meet and fun activities to take part in. He became passionate about the many needs of a new community. (Baby grand piano, sound system, Jubair’s, social committee events, 5 O’clock neighborhood party and the list goes on) He enthusiastically jumped in to help make Jubilee the wonderful community it is.

The most important choice Dave made happened in 1973. At the age of 31 years old, he chose to make Jesus Christ, Lord of his life. He and his family became members of Mercer Island Covenant Church. In 1978 he was led to believe the Issaquah area needed a Covenant Church. His precious Lord and Savior surrounded he and Kathy with an incredible team of committed Christians and put him in charge of beginning and launching Pine Lake Covenant Church. What a humbling thought and privilege it has been for him recently to realize that his Lord trusted him with that endeavor. That church continues to thrive in the Sammamish community. Dave was an active member of several churches during his life where he served in many different roles over the years: teaching and organizing classes for both children and adults, Church Chair, deacon, Christian camping, planning and building committee, and mentoring are among some of them.

Dave was dedicated to his family and was happiest when he and Kathy were surrounded with their sons, daughters-in-love and grandchildren. Dave loved the mountains and was a passionate skier. He taught skiing and spent many years on ski patrol. The winter week-ends found he and his family enjoying the beautiful pacific northwest mountains. The Philips Lake house in Shelton was a gift his parents left to him. They had purchased the property in the 50’s. He, his family and friends have enjoyed water skiing, fishing and canoeing out there all these years.

Dave is survived by his wife Kathy, their three sons, Mark, Erik and Matthew; his daughters-in-law; Karen, Angie and Jenny; nine grandchildren; Kristin, Nicklas, Nathan, Weston, Addie, Ryley, Ryann, Madison and Kate; three great grandchildren; Elija, Elizabeth and Daniel; his sister Joan Miller and multiple nieces and nephews. He will be missed as a husband, father, grandpa (papa), brother, friend and by so many people whose lives he has touched.