David Walker Jayne IV, (1963 - 2023) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Let the memory of David be with us forever.

60 years old
Born on February 2, 1963 in New York, New York, United States
Passed away on May 24, 2023 in San Francisco, California, United States

David was born in New York City on February 2, 1963, to Betsey Baldwin Jayne and David Jayne. After years in Hong Kong and Chicago, the Jayne family settled in Pelham in 1976. David, known as DJ to his many friends at Pelham Memorial High School, had numerous passions including cycling, animals, creative clothing combinations and, especially, listening to and making music - a lifelong love instilled by Dorothy Koening and her electronic music class at Pelham Memorial High School. A self-taught drummer (lefty!), keyboardist, and singer, David was a member of several bands throughout his life and has numerous recordings to his name.

After graduating in 1986 from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, David worked at ABC News in New York City. David then pursued an audiovisual career and was a proud member of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees in San Francisco (IATSE Local 16).

David was extremely intelligent and well-read, had an amazing memory and was a fount of trivia. David also battled addiction and mental illness and his remarkable brain struggled with existential questions about the future of our world and his place in it. David made his choice to end his life and join his father, grandparents, nephew Grant, cousin Pennel, and his beloved dog Porter in a better place.

David is survived by his mother, his sisters Lisa Sippel (Matthew) and Debbi Seaver Brown (Keith), his brother Stephen (Jackie) and his three nieces and four nephews.

The family will hold a memorial for David sometime in the future. In keeping with his concern for this earth and its creatures, David supported Planned Parenthood and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

If you wish, please leave a tribute to David on this website. Uploads of photos, videos and audio clips are also welcomed to help everyone remember David.

Tributes

Leave a tribute

New

April 12

I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of another PMHS classmate...there have been too many in recent years. I was so very glad to know DJ from high school...he was a most interesting character...may God Bless the soul of DJ!

February 2

On DJ’s birthday I’m always reminded of:

1. Great celebrations, usually at the Purple Palace
2. Groundhog Day
3. “It’s Strong Beer Month!”

I know I’ll always keep Feb 2 aside for memories of one of my oldest friends.

August 24, 2023

I am lighting a candle for Deejay today, 3 months to the day after he blasted "back forward" into the great unknown that populated so many of his spontaneous lyrics.

Deej’s rebellious nature and love of music made us great housemates in the fantastically creative home we called the Purple Palace. Our day-to day friendship was cemented by a shared sense of the ridiculous, a whirlwind of silly sing-alongs and a celebratory love of musical experimentation which we shared with many.

David, you lived life as your own rock’n’roll improvisation and your joyful noise lives on in my many memories!

July 10, 2023

Deej - I can't think of you without thinking of that big smile of yours. I'm so happy I was able to hang out with you for a weekend a couple of years ago, and wish I could have seen you more often. So many fun memories from our high school days...I'll continue to think of you often, your amazingly positive energy, unbridled joy, and willingness to try anything. Love you and miss you.

June 2, 2023

I have known David professionally for many years. He was not only an exceptional technician, but a very kind and gentle soul. Please rest in Peace David.

Joanne Desmond
IATSE Local 16

May 29, 2023

I spent a lot of time at the Jayne house growing up. I was friends with Debbie and often Dave would walk by and say a few words. I don’t remember the words but what he said was always a positive acknowledgment of us being there. Maybe it was hey what are you up to? Or was it a simple hello? He was smiling. That is what I remember. I will always remember his smile. Rest in peace Dave.

May 28, 2023

My heart goes out to the Jayne family and friends for the loss of David (DJ). I knew DJ from Colonial elementary school and Pelham High thereafter. DJ was a kind and fun person who throughly enjoyed music and drumming. We didn’t run in the same circle of friends but occasionally jammed at his house which wasn’t far from mine. About 10 years ago I was in SF for business and ran into David while having lunch at a restaurant near the Convention Center. He hadn’t changed. Still youthful, energetic and enthusiastic. Weeks later I received several CDs of music he had written. I listened to every track and was delighted he was still at it. Wishing DJ peace and the Jayne family healing.

May 28, 2023

DJ was a brother in our rag tag cadre, and that will never change. Incredibly bright, witty, selfless and never one to say no to an adventure at the drop of a hat, Dave was ever present whether on our skiing or camping trips, or just hanging out together somewhere in town. My brain can’t remember Dave without that omnipresent mischievous ear to ear grin, and we will all miss his infectious laugh that he shared so freely. It was always tough to hear of Dave’s turmoil and struggles, and while it is difficult to see him go, I hope at least he has found a place where his world makes more sense. We all carry a little bit of Dave forward with us every day, and that is a great thing. I hope this is the start of an excellent journey DJ! Cheers!

May 28, 2023

A cool guy ,fellow drummer ,your spirit will live on forever my friend
! Your passion ,for music,and life was always,an inspiration to me ,Rock on Deej,RIP ,my brotha !!! Love,Giro

May 28, 2023

David was a unique bright light, a charming firefly, so easy with his smile and full of love. He told me many stories of his life as we worked together. Some of great love and others of struggle, yet all told with the same attitude of gratefulness and joy. He wore his heart on his always bright and colorful sleeve. Thank you David for gracing us. And for taking care of all your beloved doggies. It is impossible not to miss you.

May 28, 2023

David was my Nephew, and I always felt there were two Davids.
One was a hilariously funny and incredibly creative David. I will never forget the night I went to his concert at a San Francisco venue. First David started playing one instrument to a tune he had written. Then he added a second instrument; then a third instrument! I and everyone were blown away by his breathtaking talent and the beautiful music he had written and was playing! I cannot ever remember this David without a smile on his face, a cute quip on his lips and loving consideration in his heart. He never missed anyone's birthday; and was a font of goodwill to everyone who knew him.
The other David was a man searching for his place in the world. I think the early death of his Dad caused an emotional wound that never healed and a fear that everything you build can sublimate in an instant. The first of David's career endeavors did not pan out, triggering that fear as he tried to get a foothold somewhere/anywhere. Perhaps his subsequent attempts caused a gradual devolution from frustration to despair. And it certainly did not help that this loving, trusting and authentic man was repeatedly used and harmed by "friends" with unkind and avaricious motives.
In the end, I believe David really DID want to go to a better place and join his loved ones there. I hope and pray that is where he is now; so he can finally look back over his shoulder and give that signature smile of his to us, the people who loved him and are looking forward to seeing him again, somewhere/sometime.

May 27, 2023

Once upon a time I brought a questionable man I was dating to one of DJs BBQs at the purple palace. The next day my date told me DJ had pulled him aside and told him that I was very a special person to him and his tribe and that he had better treat me right. I was so touched by this gesture and will always hold this memory dear. Thank you for your friendship David, and thank you for inviting me to howl freely in all your jam sessions. Out with the Scorpio eclipse and into the light!! Much love <3

May 26, 2023

A friendship forged in both amazing fun and teenage angst in Pelham continued throughout the decades. In some of my most formative years, I counted DJ as one of my closest and most understanding of friends. He was one of the few who managed to visit me wherever I lived, from Boulder to Hong Kong to London, something for which I'll always be grateful. I was fortunate that our paths led us to both live in San Francisco for 12 years. In that city, which offered endless opportunities to go out, we often ended up just spending hours hanging at his kitchen table, laughing, listening to music and talking about life, death and the hang.

It was great to see our friendship continue and develop. And, I got the chance to acknowledge all his efforts to visit me in far-flung places by attending dozens of Neurohumors gigs...DJ was always intellectually curious and ready to laugh, not least at himself. His effervescent spirit was constantly at battle with his inner demons, a fight we all tried to help him with. We tried our best, as did DJ, but it was a tough fight.

I'll miss him greatly, but my memories will mainly center around his laughter and that award-winning smile. And every February 2nd I'll think not about Groundhog Dog, but my good friend's birthday.

May 26, 2023

As I bid you farewell, I take comfort in knowing that you have found eternal peace. Your eccentricity, complemented by a heart of pure gold, left an indelible mark on the lives of all those who had the privilege of knowing you. Your unwavering love and zest for life will forever be remembered.

Goodbye, dear David. Your legacy will endure, and your spirit will live on in the lives you touched. Rest peacefully, knowing that you have left an indelible imprint on this world.

May 26, 2023

What an amazing character, incredibly smart, colorful, kind hearted with a wicked sense of humor. I met David in the spring on 2021. In the short time we spent together I have a lifetime of stories to tell. We had happy conversations, sad, hysterical, complicated, sensitive, deep, the good old days in the Upper Haight, you name it we covered it. He wrote a chapter in my life I will never forget. David left a lasting impression on everyone he met. I will miss him.

May 26, 2023

Hey, He was a fun co-worker and we became friends outside work with similar interests in music. hung out a lot. Fare the well friend.

May 26, 2023

DJ was literally my oldest friend; we go back to pre-Hong Kong Colonial School days. High school in the 70s was a heady, challenging time, full of rebellion and boundary breaking, and music that fostered and pushed those sentiments. Our tight crew of was in the middle of all of that, and DJ was in the middle of the crew. In a world of us versus those who didn’t get it, we leaned on each other; always watching each other’s back. Inevitably though, most of us grew up, embarking on new careers, marrying, having kids - in other words, trading rebellion for the rules and conformity adults invariably adopt to get along in life. But that wasn’t DJ. No guardrails for him. His mantra was to live a radically honest, transparent life, and continue breaking boundaries that a 16 year old boy might do comfortably, but a 60 year old boy can’t. RIP my oldest of brothers.

May 25, 2023

I will never forget the great times we had. From Pelham High School to Syracuse University, Campin’ and Death Skiing. You put a smile on my face and always made me laugh my friend “babble babble babble”. We could hang for hours in the attic on Cliff making music and listening to Xanadu. You are a rock star DJ and im sure you are jamming to songs in the key of death in a much better place.
I will never forget you Diamond Dave.
I love you like a brother. We will hang again.
-Toes

Leave a Tribute

Recent Tributes

New

April 12

February 2

August 24, 2023

View all 18 tributes

Gallery

I was lucky to be able to hang with Deej for a few days in San Fran in January of 2020.

Cookies are disabled :(

Tributes

Leave a Tribute

Invite others to David's website: