From our first year in college, Amy would talk about her brother with such love and laughter. I finally met him in college and quickly understood why all the laughter. David knew how to bring on a smile with a single sentence. I didn't see him again until Amy's wedding where I had the privilege to walk down the aisle with him. I will never forget the smile he had on his face when he stood at the top of the stairs, put both arms out, had a lady appear on either side, and a roar of laughter and claps rang through the church.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your friends and your family. You will be missed.

To the Popper family,

I am AM3(AW/SW) Kitchens. I have had the pleasure to have worked with David. He was one of the guys that never made me feel like I was an outsider. He knew about my lifestyle, but never chastised me for it. He and I would have discussions about life and our certain viewpoints about it.

He was a great guy all around. I have never heard one bad thing about him because he was such a genuine person. My heart goes out to you, the family, during these troubled times. May God's grace be with you always.

-Brandon Kitchens

I'm so sorry for your family's loss of David. I was a good friend of his on our ship, and it is a true loss for anyone that ever had the privilege to know him. I was his "sponsor" to check into the command and I picked him up outside of the base and checked him onto the ship for the first time. I remember when I met him, I thought, "Who is this goofy looking guy" because he was just standing there with his uniform on, his seabag and a big smile across his face. Immediately upon meeting him and talking with him I knew we were going to be friends because of our similar laid back attitudes and sense of humor. We got along very well because David was always someone you could joke with and he always had a way of being funny and finding the humor in every situation we had, no matter how shitty it was or how pissed off we were about work or any of the stuff that was going on, on the boat. We could always laugh about anything. I always enjoyed his company and he was well liked by all of his peers in the navy. I was a couple ranks higher than him when he checked in so I kind of took him "under my wing" and tried to show him around and give him tips about stuff and how things worked on the boat. I always kept an eye on him to try and help guide him, and he adapted to the boat life quickly, made a lot of friends and learned his job quickly. I knew he was a really smart guy, a lot smarter then what most people thought he was, mainly because of his laid-back attitude and his ability to not care or stress out about stuff that didn't matter. I admired that about him because I think some people took a lot of stuff way too serious and it was refreshing to see someone still be able to stay positive in situations where most people stress and breakdown, he had that resilience to him.
    David and I had a lot of good times together, I went golfing with him once in San Diego and he helped give me a few tips on my swing. We drank a lot of beer that day and had a lot of laughs. He was always some one that was fun to be around and some one that you could have a beer with and just laugh. He always brought a good positive energy and vibe to the group. I remember in Thailand, when we were on deployment, we were up late one night and we met a Thai person who was playing the guitar and singing American Cover-songs and we were drinking and dancing in the street to this guy who was trying to play good American music but was way off but none of us cared because we were all just having a good time and just enjoying the night.
    I ended up leaving the command after that port to transfer to my next command in southern California, and when I said goodbye to him I told him that we needed to meet up when they got back from deployment and that when we got out of the military we should all go to college together somewhere. I'll never forget the laughs I had with David and all the positive energy he always had to him. I considered him a great friend of mine and I only wish I had got to have more time hanging out with him, he was a hell of a friend and a truly good person. I'm so sorry about this unfortunate loss, it's honestly all I've been able to think about since I heard the news yesterday. I'm at a loss of words to say on the subject, but I hope the best for you and the rest of his family, and I hope that my story of meeting him and the impression that he made on me and all of his friend may help you guys cope in some way. He will be truly missed by all of the friends he made on the Nimitz, I know many people liked him and adored him as a person.

Sincerely,
Trevor Borchardt

To the friends and family of David:

My name is AO1 (AW/SW) Jasmin Shackelford, and I came to know David during the 2013 WESTPAC deployment on the USS Nimitz. As we were both assigned to AIMD department, I worked with him quite often.The trait I liked about him most was his ability to crack a joke and say something sarcastic at the most random of times. I only smile when I think of him, because that's how I remember him-- forever smiling. It was a pleasure and an honor to serve alongside such a light-hearted soul. God bless David and all of you.

Hello, my name is Alex Victorio (AT3). I met David at the beginning of deployment and he had such a positive attitude even when we were in the lowest parts. He had such an amazing positive attitude and was always smiling about anything. He had that ability to cheer those around him and we always talked about our goals and what crazy workout routine we were willing to try. He always told me to be me and don't let anything bring you down. Im gonna miss you a lot my friend. It was an honor to work with you. Rip my friend, you will be missed onboard the nimitz and section 1 section.

I am so sorry for the loss of such a great young man. I had the pleasure of training David at WDW where he had to learn about doing a show with Mushu, and it takes patience and a good heart. David was able to learn fast while making it fun too. Being a fellow veteran, I knew where his heart was and that was serving his country. I often would ask his uncle how he was doing and he would proudly share information with me as well as watching him grow and achieve his dreams on FB. I do hope that the fond memories of David help family and friends to be comforted during this awful time of loss. Rest in Peace. Hugs to the family and friends.

To the Popper Family,

I had the pleasure of knowing Popper from the very beginning of his naval career, the place where it all started at, the recruiting station in DEP. We both were sworn in a few months apart and started on the long trek to work out and stay in shape together in preparation for bootcamp. If I remember right I believe he did come to my going away party at the bar around the corner from the recruiting station. We stayed in touch by Facebook and lo and behold when I showed up on board the USS Nimitz there was Popper, all smiles and glad to see me. We were even in the same department! I later was sent to Security and would come by his shop often to play video games or just hang out. He later managed to get sent to security as well and we ended up in the same section! It still amazes me that we were able to stay that close in our naval careers and I hope he will stay close in spirit to keep the good times rolling and smiles all around. My heart goes out to you all. RIP Buddy.

Sincerely,

AT3 Russell, Chadd A.

I will miss all of the times where David, and I would go to our hang out spot on the ship, and see if we could see any shooting stars. Or the time that we were pretty sure we saw Mermaids in the Mediterranean Sea. We could just talk about random things and that would make our night shift just fly by. I am going to miss you "Pop". My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family

My name is Jed Choate (AM3 Choate) and I worked with him in security and in our parent department. He was a stand up guy and could be counted on to get things done. He was always smiling and had a great sense of humor about him. I'll miss getting to be around him and crack jokes at everything.

To the popper family,

My name is jack elam (AZ2 Elam) I worked with popper on the ship for a little over a year. I loved working with him and being around him, he just had one of the greatest personalities that was contagious. if you were having a bad day he'd say something off the wall to get you to laugh. He always asked me how my kids were doing and if my wife was ok. My daughter met him a few times and just gravitated to him and he would just sit there and play with her. He was a great guy who I will miss and think about often. David I miss ya and I love ya rest easy, I'll see ya on the other side, man.

To the friends and family of David:
I first met David in mid-late 2013 on USS Nimitz. I worked with him briefly and enjoyed having him around. My deepest condolences to the Popper family. He will always remain in all of the hearts of the lives he touched. I wish I had more of a chance to get to know him better. Again, my deepest condolences. Blessed be.

AZ2 Hathway-Davis

To David's family my thoughts and prayers are with you.
My name is Ryan Biehl (AE2 Biehl) and I can't say that I knew David all that well. But I did see him very often, either in the tunnel at work or in the berthing. The one thing that always struck me about David was that he always had a smile on his face, no matter what crazy stuff was going on at work. It's like he knew when someone was having a bad day he would pat us on the back and give that smile and no matter what even for just a second our day would be better. I will miss turning the corner in the berthing and seeing him just standing there talking with someone and him looking over and giving that "what's up man" smile and wave. You will be greatly missed buddy.

David always had a big smile and space wherever he went... And if he wasn't smiling it didn't take him very long start smiling again.. He always had an encouraging word for me he never judged me... I can't believe I'm receiving news about his death like this. I can't believe he's gone...

I will always cherish the memories I have from the day that David joined Amy, Chrisite and I at Disney. He was working there at the time so he entertained us with behind the scenes Disney tales. David had such a great sense of humor and was so much fun to be around. He was a true southern gentlemen, always polite and well mannered. His brotherly love for Amy showed best when he would give the skin between her chin and neck a little tug. (Amy knows that I'm talking about. :)) But seriously, Amy's love for her brother and his for her is unmatched. David left us way too soon. He will truly be forever missed by all who knew him.

Popper family,

I am so sorry for the loss of David. I had the privilege of becoming friends with him during my time working at Disney. We only knew each other for a short time but I have so many great memories with him.

We managed to have fun no matter what we were doing, even if it was parking strollers at work for what felt like hours at a time. Some of my favorite memories with David are playing putt putt together on a Christmas themed course and having a fake snowman pelt David in the back of the head with water. One night we sat and made “the greatest music playlist ever” together. He introduced me to Slurpees and was in complete shock that I had never had one before; we had to get in the car and go to the gas station to get one immediately. And my favorite, to make my work day a little better he’d sometimes leave me coke zeros in the break room fridge just because he knew how much I loved them.

To me, those moments define David perfectly. Just a fun loving guy who can make the smallest moment seem like a good time. Always looking to make someone smile. I’ll always be grateful for the friendship that we had and I hope all of these wonderful memories of David help make a tough time a little easier on you. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

I met David back in 9th-10th grade, at the Winter Park Pines golf course. He brought talent onto the course and I never could quite catch up to him. I was surprised that he kept playing with me considering how much time I spent trying to find my golf ball every time we played. But he was there to have fun and didn't care how long it took to finish the round. He had a great personality and we shared many laughs on the course together(mostly at how bad I was at golf) I went up there every day that Summer and it was rare that I didn't run into him on the range. He was a great friend and I thoroughly enjoyed his company. I wish we became closer but I am extremely fortunate to have met him. There are plenty of birdies to be made up there and I know we will play another round together when we meet again. My thoughts and prayers are with all of David's family and friends during this sad time.

David will forever be my best friend's kind, much taller (than me anyway) brother whose usual grin widened with laughter as we layered ourselves with buccaneer cutlasses, eye patches, stuffed parrots and dreadlocked Jack Sparrow captain's hats outside Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean ride, cracking "ARRR we done yet?" while we begged strangers for yet another picture (which I'm sure he'd smile to see in the gallery). To be around David in these moments when he was at most himself - from playing pirates to playing cards around the patio table or playing ball with maddie - these are my favorite memories. Standing next to David as we watched Amy and her father dance together at the wedding, I was just as touched by his genuine pride and happiness. His sense of humor was as fierce as his love and devotion for his family, and he will be so missed here until we can see him again.

Dear Popper family,
I only met David once, but I feel like I've known him for close to 4 years since that is how long I've known Amy! I have heard about sweet David Popper for a long time and was so excited to finally meet him when he was in Nashville for Amy & Chris’ wedding. I told Amy this story the other day, but I will share on here now. I was helping the beautiful bride and all of the other ladies in her life the morning of the wedding at the hotel, when there was a knock on the door, I ran to answer and there he was holding a cup of coffee for G-ma. David looked at me like I was nuts when I saw who it was and said, “sweet David Popper, I am so glad to finally meet you as I have heard so much about you for so long.” I would have looked at me nuts as well! I introduced myself and told him how I had heard about him and he was polite and giggled and said it was good to meet me as well, but he hadn't heard of me! Throughout the day, whenever I saw him he was funny and would say he knew me now.
I know how much David meant to his family and how love definitely surrounded him. My heart hurts for your loss and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

~jenny

I worked with David on USS Nimitz while he was in security during our last deployment. I remember how he went out of his way to make everyone's day a little better no matter where we were in the world. He touched peoples lives everywhere he went. I wish I had been able to get know him better but I know the richness of his life will go on and that we are all better because of his influence in our lives.

To the Popper Family.

I was so sad to hear of David's passing Although I never met David, those who did tell of a clean cut hard working young man who was thriving in the Navy He came from a great family and no words I write can possibly express the sense of loss. I thank him for his service and see that his shipmates regarded him highly. Terry Delahunty

I didn't know him personally while I was aboard the NIMITZ but I did serve with him and AO1 Shackelford during the 2009-2010 WESTPAC deployment and while the ship was in yards in Bremerton, WA. She speaks very highly of him; always had a smile on his face. My heart and prayers go out to his family, friends, and ALL that knew him; he will forever be apart of our NIMITZ family. We sing a song in my church and my faith, it says "HOLD TO HIS HAND; HOLD ON TO GOD'S UNCHANGING HAND!!" Build your hopes on things ETERNAL; HOLD TO GOD'S UNCHANGING HAND!!" Anchors away shipmate...

Deltravis Lamont Williams
YN2(SW)          USN

Hello. I went to boot camp with you David. My heart and prays go out to the Friends and family who were able to meet this fine young man. Again my prays and condolences go to is family. God Bless

Hello. I went to boot camp with you David. My heart and prays go out to the Friends and family who were able to meet this fine young man. Again my prays and condolences go to is family. God Bless

I worked with David at Disney in 2012. He was so good with the guests, very polite and funny. He was a delight to work with. I was sad when he left, but know his heart was with the military. I am so sad to hear of his passing. He died way too young. My condolences to his family.

Dear Popper/Oakley families:
I only met David once, at Amy & Chris' wedding, but quickly I could see the love he had for his family and how proud he was to be there on his big sister's special day. I watched him as he quietly moved into and through the church prior to the service, and later in the reception, as if he was making sure everything was in order and perfect for Amy, very fatherlike. It brought a year to my eye then, to see his care and concern, and now knowing that God has placed him as your guardian angel, looking down from heaven to give you all that same protection. You'll all be in my prayers in the days ahead. Psalm 91:11

I will miss David's infectious laugh (that at times had a little nose snort at the end), his incredibly hilairous sense of humor that had you in tears, his "realness," which is extremely hard to find in people, and his overall compassion and love for others!! He was truly an amazing human being that touched many, many lives and who will NEVER be forgotten through all of our memories and stories we will share for many years to come. Feel incredibly blessed to have known him! Love you all!

So sad to hear of his passing. I worked with David at Disney. He was very fun to work with. Cast members change at Disney all the time but, I have always remembered him and always will. RIP David.

David will forever be in my heart and he will always be remembered as a true American hero. I worked with David at the Magic of Disney Animation at the Hollywood Studios. He was such a joy to be around and could always make me laugh and snort. I also enjoyed making him laugh many times. It was a blessing to have known him/worked with him. Sending my love and hugs to his family.

Hello everyone. I went boot camp with David. He was a good person and always made us laugh. I'm praying for him and his family. God bless you all.

Sincerely

Troy Owens

My prayers go out for your family brother thank you for all the laughs in bot camp.
-Tyler Arthur

I still remember when David when come over and help Amy babysit me and Hannah. We would make him play the movie game with us, and I'm sure he just loved every second of it! I ran into him recently at Einsteins, and it had been so long since I'd seen him. I remember talking to him and thinking about how he had grown up to be such a nice guy and how it was so obvious he's apart of the Popper family. His presence was really something special. Love you guys!

I was so lucky to work with David when I was an intern at Disney World. Always made me feel welcome at work, he was a true gentleman. My thoughts are with the Popper family. Rest easy, David.

David,

It was so fun getting to witness your "hero's welcome" at Amy & Chris's wedding reception! I only wish I hadn't had to follow in your footsteps- I definitely didn't get half as many cheers from the crowd :) You are dearly loved, and will be dearly missed.

Ansley & Matt Kynes

I never got to work with David at Disney. From one shipmate to another we are always brothers. R. I. P. David you will forever have warm winds a gentle seas. Thank you for your service. Anchors aweigh

I was fortunate enough to be able to call my David my friend. I met him in boot camp and also went to "A" school together. He was always making me laugh and I loved hanging out with him. Your family is in my prayers. Anchors aweigh buddy.

I had the privilege and honor of working with David when he was here at Walt Disney World. He was honest, true, and just real good guy to be around. It was always a pleasure to have him show up for a few weeks. He served our country proudly and we are very proud of him too. He was and always will be remembered as an American hero. Rest easy my friend.

To the Popper Family,

First and foremost i want to send my sincerest condolences to the family. My name is Jeff Chew(AO2 Chew) I served with david on this most recent deployment and he was in charge of my shops records. I spoke with him on a daily basis about our gear and on occasion, hobbies in general. He always made things easier on me and i could tell he was a good hearted individual. I know he will be missed. He was a great guy.

I didn't know David too long since he got to the ship only a few months before I got out of the navy, but in the time I did know him he was a very fun and carefree guy. He always wanted to be part something humorous whether created by him or at his expense. We had some good times on the Nimitz. Popper will certainly be missed...

To the Family and Friends of David Popper:

My name is Tim Whittenburg (AT1 Whittenburg) and I worked very closely with David and I will really miss him. He was a good kid and a very hard worker. He always had a smile on his face even when things weren't going the way he would have liked. I was so shocked and sad deed to hear that he had passed. My prayers are with you all during this tough time.

I was David's LPO when he from when first checked into the Nimitz till a couple months ago. I spent the majority of my time with him whether it was working, eating, in the gym, watching movies or mentoring him with his officer package and qualifications. I grew to consider him more of a brother, due to spending so much time with him. Dave and I had some rough days out to sea, but even despite how hard the day was he would always find a way to make every one around him smile.  Dave I miss you brother and you will always be in my heart. 

one day at a time, brother.

Hi Friends and Family of David:

Thank you for visiting this memorial website. We would love to celebrate David's life by collecting stories and photos from those who loved him the most. It's one of the things that is bringing the most peace to our family at this difficult time. Please post- away and we hope these stories make you smile and remember my brother.