David Alan Nash passed away on January 7, 2026, from natural causes related to diabetes and kidney failure. In the end, he slipped away peacefully beside his wife of 54 years, Sylvia Nash.

David was born on July 22, 1950, in Washington, DC, to Samuel and F. Patricia Nash. He spent his childhood in Rockville, Maryland, graduating from Robert E. Peary High School in 1968. He was the eldest of two brothers, Tom Nash of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Paul Nash of Flagstaff, Arizona.

During his time at Peary High School, David met Sylvia on September 15, 1965. They were married on June 5, 1971, at Saint Andrew's Catholic Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. David attended the University of Maryland, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1972.

Shortly after graduation, David and Sylvia moved to Dover, Delaware, where David began his career with the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) of the United States Department of Agriculture. They relocated to New Castle, Delaware, in 1974 following a promotion, and that same year welcomed their first son, Terry. While working for SCS, David served as a soil conservationist, assisting cities, counties, and farmers with erosion control, drainage, and soil preservation.

In 1978, the family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, with another promotion, and their second son, Chris, was born later that year. In October 1982, David's career brought the family to Flagstaff, Arizona, where he served as Area Conservationist for the SCS, overseeing all of Northern Arizona. David and Sylvia purchased a home in Flagstaff, and both sons attended Coconino High School.

Following the closure of David's position in early 1987, he began a new chapter with New York Life. He became a financial advisor and opened his own office later that year. David found great success in this role, serving as an agent with New York Life for 35 years until his retirement.

David was deeply passionate about the outdoors. He cultivated vegetable and flower gardens at every home they owned and spent countless weekends exploring Arizona's natural beauty with his family. He enjoyed camping, hiking, fishing, and photography, all of which brought him great joy.

He also gave generously of his time to the Flagstaff community. David was a member and past president of the Flagstaff Rotary Club and later served on the finance board of Flagstaff Medical Center. In recent years, he championed the creation of a snow play area for children, leading efforts that resulted in the Flagstaff Snow Play Area at Fort Tuthill.

Another lifelong passion was trains—from trackside photography to model railroading. David served as past president of the Flagstaff Model Railroad Club and took great pride in sharing this interest with others.

David had a remarkable ability to connect with people in any setting. He touched many lives with his wisdom, kindness, and warm smile. He loved his wife, his sons, his parents and brothers, his work as both a soil conservationist and a financial planner, and the Flagstaff community he called home.

He also loved photography, painting, gardening, hiking, traveling, home improvement projects, barbecuing, classical and country music, model railroading, and cheering for his favorite teams—the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Washington Redskins.

David was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia; his two sons; his two brothers; and his eight grandchildren.

A Celebration Life will be held on Saturday, February 7th, at 11:00 am, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2401 E. Linda Vista Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86004.

Family and friends are invited to share memories, photos, and learn more about memorial service details at flagstaffmortuary.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in David's name should be made to the Friends of Coconino County Parks (friendsofcocoparks.org) and/or the Flagstaff Model Railroad Club (flagmrrc.com).