David Lee Gernandt

Life chronicle of David Lee Gernandt

David left an amazing legacy over his 76 years. Born November 3, 1947, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, to Herbert Lee and Elizabeth Edsall Gernandt. He transitioned this mortal realm on September 27, 2024, on the wings of Hurricane Helene to gain immortal and eternal life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The eldest of six children, he graduated from Marion Center High School in Pennsylvania in 1965. After graduation, in August 1966, he enlisted in the US Army, serving proudly in Vietnam, and was Honorably discharged in August 1972.

David then settled in San Francisco where he met Rosalinda Gloria, and they later married in Durham, NC. Together they moved to Asheville, parenting one daughter and two sons. However, this union did not last.

In 1988 he met Brenda Griffin-Brown, a single mother raising five children. They married in 1991, becoming a beautifully blended family. Sharing a love of antiquing, woodworking, gardening, nature, and the great outdoors, as well as photography.

David had an eye for intricate detail and built a business in Asheville as a well-known master refinisher and repairer of antiques, as well as a collector. He was an Artisan with wood, having the incredible ability to fashion, design, and produce intricate beautiful works. His mastery did not stop with woodworking. The same astonishing eye for detail in woodworking extended to gardening, gourmet cooking, and photography. Because of his incredible gifts he was given by God, the children always thought that David could do anything. They thought he could fix anything and that he was super dad.

After viewing the video of his eldest son Royes and his family being baptized and dedicating themselves to the Lord on March 25th of this year, David also chose to receive Jesus as his personal Savior. Together David and Brenda served faithfully until he went home to be with the Lord, just as Hurricane Helene shut down Western North Carolina. He was in the care of the Valor Hospice Unit at the Charles George Veterans Administration Hospital here in Asheville.

David was preceded in home going by his parents, his infant daughter Carmelita Gernandt, his infant niece Eliza Gernandt, and infant daughter through marriage Serrita Griffin.

Remaining to cherish his memory is his beloved wife Brenda Gernandt, his natural sons Royes Gernandt and wife Adela, Alex Gernandt and wife Anastasia, brothers Daniel Gernandt, Bobbie and his wife Allyson,  and Jon Gernandt, sisters Bronwen LaJoie, Judith Thomasson and her husband Randy, sons and daughters through marriage Pierre Griffin and wife Keisha, Jennique Fall and husband Ollie, Jameela Griffin and spouse Dana, Anthony Brown, and Andre Brown, 14 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Memorial Service to honor the life of David will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Faith tabernacle Christian Center (800 Appeldoorn Circle), at 1pm. 

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