Obituary of David Sapp
David “Big Daddy Sapp” Sapp, 59, of Greentown Community, passed away at his home from Covid on Friday, December 3, 2021. The Heavens opened and God chose David to come home to be with the Lord and all his friends and family for a joyous reunion. David was born May 2, 1962 in Fairmont, a son of the late Sherman Sapp, Jr. and the late Mary Fisher Sapp.
Dave was a proud 1980 graduate of Rivesville High School, and a 1988 graduate of Fairmont State College with a bachelors’ degree in Business Administration. He had over 21 years of service with the WV ABCC as a supervisor. He had been co-owner of the Greentown Legends until its closing in 2000. Dave had been attending the Hagen’s Church.
Dave put his life on hold so that he could be a wonderful caregiver for both of his parents, as well as his grandparents, so that they never had to leave their home prior to their passing. He took great effort in promoting his community. Over the years, he was involved in every aspect of his hometown. He organized activities within Rivesville and Greentown, including concerts, alumni sporting events, and served on the board of directors of the Rivesville All-class Reunion. He was a former member of the Rivesville Volunteer Fire Department. He was a part of many grass-roots political party movements within the community. Dave was the unofficial Mayor of Greentown.
Dave was a walking encyclopedia of West Virginia High School sports history, as well as all music history. He was a permanent fixture of the Fairmont Senior girls’ basketball games, whether at home, away on the road, or state tournaments. He supported his friend’s children’s sporting events as well, and enjoyed singing karaoke with his cousin Joey. He loved beyond measure his stray dogs that found him, Buddy, Sis, and Chi Chi.
Survivors include his special friend, Toni Vessecchia of Fairmont, his brother, Sherman Sapp of Fairmont, his sisters, Sharon Louise Cox, Susan Layman, and Rose Marie Sapp, all of Fairmont, and his uncle Frank and his wife Vivian Fisher and their family of Fairmont. Dave was also survived by his many nieces and nephews including, Cassandra Sapp of Rivesville, and Kayla Antonk of Fairmont, Gabe Antonk, and Ianie Antonk, as well as many great nieces and great nephews, and one great-great-niece, Alani.
In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Barney and Sophie Fisher, his paternal grandmother, Zelda Sapp, his childhood friend Tom Harless, and his nephews, Aaron Swiger and Joshua Keith Sapp, all of Rivesville.
Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Fairmont Senior High School, Girls’ Basketball Team, 1 Loop Park Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554. The family would like to thank all the friends and family for their memorial donations and reaching out with their words of sympathy and condolences.
Serving as pallbearers will be: Dennis Bowles, Mike Mahalick, Jason Antonk, Joe Gearde, Sam Gearde, and Nappy.
The Family has entrusted the arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, DeGarmo Chapel, 207 Second Street, Rivesville, WV. Friends and family are asked to wear masks and maintain social distancing when they visit on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 from 2PM until 8PM at the Rivesville Community Building, 200 Jasper Street, Rivesville, and on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 from 11AM until 1PM. The funeral will be held at the Rivesville Community Building on Wednesday, at 1PM with Allen Retton officiating and Mike Caputo delivering the eulogy. Interment will follow at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Rivesville, WV with Pastor Isaac Harmon providing the graveside services. Online condolences may be made to www.fordfuneralhomes.com.