David John Nevala
DAVID NEVALA
GEORGETOWN, TX. – David John Nevala died in his home in the arms of his beloved wife, Janet Harvey Nevala, on February 24th, 2017 in Georgetown, TX. He was 47. He had fought a long and protracted battle with heart disease and complications from Type 1 Diabetes.
A native of Marquette, MI, Dave graduated from Marquette Senior High School in 1987. He attended Northern Michigan University and hosted his own show on the student radio station, WUPX. Prior to enlisting in the Air Force, he was employed at The Marquette Mall Arcade, Music Street, and the Holiday Inn.
Dave was an Air Force veteran, and served at Sawyer AFB from 1991-1995, and also at Edwards AFB in California. While working as a jet engine mechanic, Dave discovered a lifelong passion for tinkering with engines and figuring out how things worked. After leaving the Air Force, he briefly went into business with a partner, repairing sewing machines. When the online game, Everquest, came out, Dave taught himself how to create environments in the 3D game engine, a new technology at the time. He became an early volunteer quality tester for the game, and proved himself to be so invaluable that he was hired as an environment artist by Verant Interactive, later Sony Online Entertainment. In his 10 year career at SOE, Dave worked as both an environmental art lead and a game designer, overseeing teams, and mentoring younger designers on such games as Everquest, Everquest 2, Star Wars: Galaxies, and The DC Universe Online.
Dave was also a lifelong musician. An accomplished guitar player and song writer, Dave taught himself and others how to play, and was very proud of his punk band DuD, which played around Marquette and the Upper Peninsula in the early 90s. Later, he went on to produce music in his home studio, and wrote several pieces for his wife’s films as a partner and collaborator.
David leaves behind his wife of 3 years, Janet; their two dogs, Ace and Nutmeg; his sister, Paulette; his nieces and nephews, Amber, Carli, Jesse, Lee, and Ben; a Model A, a Model T, a 1973 Opel GT, a 1957 Ford Truck, an Eagle Bus, upwards of 10 guitars, and many broken hearts.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Barbara, and his older brother, Ed.
There will be a gathering on Presque Isle in Marquette from 12-2pm in the Island Pavilion to remember Dave on Sat, Aug 12th, 2017. Scattering of Dave’s ashes to follow.
Those moved to make donations in his name may do so to the American Heart Association, The American Diabetes Association, or the Paralyzed Veterans of America.