David Lee Handley, Sr

David Lee Handley, Sr., 74 of Cambridge, passed away on Wednesday July 20, 2011 at the Chesapeake Woods Center in Cambridge after a lengthy battle with multiple myeloma. He was born in Cambridge on May 31, 1937, and was a son of the late William Watkins and Susie Anna Willey Handley.

David grew up on the Handley Farm, the family farm on Maple Dam Road outside of Cambridge. He attended schools in Cambridge, and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1956. David enjoyed farming and worked for many years on the family farm. In his earlier years he was an avid horseback rider. David was a member of the Dorchester County Mounted Patrol, a local horse riding club. His love of horses led to his attending a horse shoeing school in Wisconsin in 1966 and for several years had his own ferrier service and traveled throughout the Delmarva area trimming and shoeing horses. In the late 70's and early 80's David was employed by Bountiful Farms, a dairy farm in Trappe which was operated by the Mormon Church. Along with his farming duties, he helped manage the dairy herd and drove a milk tanker, taking milk produced on the farm to the D.C. area. David was a past member of the Dorchester Ruritan Club and was a member of Sou's Harbor Church of God in Cambridge.

David was first married to the former Beverly Goodman. He was later married to Marian Elliott Handley who passed away on September 4, 1982. On July 20, 1985 he was married to the former Meridith Bozman. He served for several years in the Maryland Army National Guard both during and after graduating from high school. Several years prior to his death he owned DLH Trucking and hauled logs and piling for the Dorchester Lumber Co. at Linkwood. He had been in failing health for the past five years when he passed away on Wednesday evening at the Chesapeake Woods Center in Cambridge.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years Meridith B. Handley of Cambridge, one daughter Deborah C. Whitaker and her husband Chip of Centreville, three sons David L. Handley, Jr. and his wife Darlene of Trappe, Daniel P. Handley and Yvonne Habliston of Princess Anne, Douglas E. Handley and his wife Joanna of Baltimore, two step daughters Lisa Cruz and her husband Eder of Rhodesdale and Karen Monteith and her husband Warren of Denton, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, two step grandchildren and two step great grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister Mary Louise Mitchell and her husband Raymond Mitchell of East New Market, two brothers William Handley and his wife Nancy of Oak Hill, FL and Carroll Handley and his wife Joann Handley of Cambridge. In addition to his parents and his wife Marian he was preceded in death by a son William Donald Handley, a sister Anna Mae Outten and a brother Paul Handley.

A funeral service will be held on Monday July 25 at 11:00 AM at the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge with the Rev. J. Edward King officiating. Interment will follow at Dorchester Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. Pallbearers will be Bobby Wheatley, Roger Brake, William "Billy" Burton, Bobby Burton, Hildon Robbins and Warren Monteith. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia Society of Maryland, 11350 McCormick Road, Executive Plaza III, Suite 100, Hunt Valley, MD 21031.