Can’t believe that even having to write this .
Dave was such lovely part of our family and also knew him at school.
He always had a smile and the laughs we had at racing 🏁 🏎 I will treasure always 💖
So much love to Kelly , Dani ,Carl and all the Family Lot’s of love Julie and Terry and Family xx

Dear Uncle,

A man to admire. A man of many skills and insights throughout the years. A stubborn rebel, straightforward and bullshit free, a true scorpio of star sign, but also a deeply caring man.

Dave was full of passion for his kids and the wider family. A phenomenal driver, a fisherman, owner of a successful catering business, and later range warden at Bovington.

I attempt to dry my tears yet they flow black knowing that your life was cut short by the mistakes of others, and the pain this has caused your daughters and son, your parents and sister, and everyone else who loves you.

Lost for words perhaps, I sit outside and look across the bay to Weymouth today, it’s right in front of me.

Reflecting on the times we had. Through the tears cracks a Rodgers’ smile, and a chuckle too; Good times those were… We went through a local river once and almost got the Rangerover stuck, the water sploshing around in the headlights! You helped me pick up, what is now my fiancé, from the airport.

You filled me in on all the family history I had missed and showed me around Lulworth. The first beacon of family after coming over – in an otherwise lonely life. A friendly chuckle, and always a great story to tell about days gone by.

Disbelief riddles me as I toil over what could, and should have been our future. But from it springs an everlasting determination to drive us all forward. I’ll do whatever I can to ensure your life is not in vain, and to support those left behind, this promise of me — you have.

One more hug for a bloody great uncle, and one more applause for a phenomenal Dad.

Now you are up there, with Your uncles. Perhaps your Brother, my dad… I’m sure you two are racing heavenly muscle cars (probably a deep purple Cobra) through the bends of the universe, tearing it up as you rejoice to the sounds of UB40.

Sending our love.

Forget you, we will not.

X