David Brian Clarey

David Brian Clarey, 71, of Wichita, KS, passed away suddenly on October 23, 2022. A private burial will take place at Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta, KS.  David was born in Wichita, Kansas on May 14, 1951, to the late Lois Juanita (Jack) and Donald Ward Clarey.

David graduated from Wichita Southeast High School and worked at Beech Aircraft for over 35 years. He inherited a passion for aviation from his father who was in the Navy during World War II and was a stationed on the "Belleau Wood" light aircraft carrier in the Pacific. David started his career at Beech in the paint shop. Later he worked as a mechanic in the Experimental Flight Test department and the Trainer Systems division. Well-liked by his Beech co-workers, he did his best to keep them entertained. David had a pilot's license and was a member of the Beech Flying Club.

After he retired from Beech in 2014, David enjoyed working on model airplanes and rockets and could wander around for hours exploring aviation museums. He also spent many years restoring a Volkswagen convertible that, unfortunately, is not quite finished.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jeannie Wayne; brothers, Donald Clarey of Eureka Springs, Arkansas; and Michael Clarey of Middletown, Ohio; sister, Patricia Clarey of Wichita, Kansas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Clarey.

David had a great respect for nature and the environment. He loved animals and always kept the birds well fed and had plenty of corn cobs around to feed the squirrels. There was usually a cat (or cats) in the house including several stray cats throughout the years that were lucky enough to show up in the yard. He and Jeannie recently adopted a kitten named Buzzbee who wandered into a friend's backyard this summer.

Memorial donations to Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N Hillside, Wichita, Kansas 67219.